6. Mr. ERSKINEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the objections raised by the residents in Eccleston Square to the cab-rank which has been formed there for the service of Victoria Station; whether he has received a communication, addressed on behalf of the residents to the Westminster City Council, protesting against the infringement of the amenities of the square which it occasions, and calling attention to the depreciation in the value of the houses in the square and in the rateable value to which it is likely to give rise; and whether, as the Southern Railway Company has space on its own premises for cabs needed by its passengers, he will withdraw permission for a cab-rank in Eccleston Square?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)I have received the re- 681 presentations referred to, and I am giving them my careful consideration. I have personally seen the chief protester, and hope to visit the ground, but up to the present I have been unable to find any practicable alternative to the present arrangements.
Mr. ERSKINECan I show the right hon. Gentleman a practical alternative, which I have shown to the police, but they do not think much about it, although residents and my humble self think a great deal of it?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI need hardly say that I shall be delighted to receive any suggestion from the hon. Gentleman, notwithstanding the bad testimonial he has mentioned.
§ 7. Sir FRANK MEYERasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that no motor chassis fitted with a self-starting device is licensed to ply for hire as a taxi-cab under present police regulations in the Metropolitan area; and what is the reason for this regulation, in view of the fact that almost all other motor vehicles of similar horse power to that of taximeter-cabs are now fitted with self-starters?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere is no such police regulation. The Commissioner informs me that there are no self-starters on the taxi-cabs at present licensed, but this is understood to be due to the reluctance of proprietors to provide the extra current required.
§ 10. Brigadier-General WARNERasked the Home Secretary whether, with a view to avoiding congestion in the London streets, he is prepared to arrange for the provision of more cab ranks, and to issue regulations that all cabs, after depositing their fares, shall at once proceed to the nearest cab rank instead of crawling along the streets and obstructing traffic?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am afraid the provision of additional cab ranks is very difficult, and would not afford a complete remedy. I understand the various causes contributing to the congestion of many of the streets, including the particular problem to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, are under review by the London Traffic Advisory Committee.