§ 59. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD -BURYasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that there are over 8,000 taximeter cabs in the London streets, and that a crawling taximeter cab holds up the traffic more than does a horse-drawn vehicle or an omnibus, he will take steps with the Minister of Transport to regulate the number of four and two-seater taximeter cabs, and prevent a still greater congestion on the streets?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)There is no power under the present law to restrict the number of licences. It is hoped that congestion on the streets will be greatly minimised when the Regulations at present under consideration with regard to crawling cabs are made.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when those new Regulations are likely to come into force?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, we must wait until we hear from the Minister of Transport.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that crawling taxicabs are a great convenience to people waiting in the wet for a taxi-cab?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, and I have tried to reconcile the desires of the people with the needs of traffic.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENCannot people go by tube?
§ Captain GARRO-JONESHas the right, hon. Gentleman ruled out entirely the desirability of prohibiting horse-drawn vehicles using certain streets at certain hours of the day? [HON. MEMBERS: "why"?]
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not had any idea in my mind of attempting to do so.