§ 15. Sir HARRY BRITTAINasked the Home Secretary whether he can see his way, before carrying out a reduction in taximeter cab fares in London, to give consideration to certain alterations in the regulations of Scotland Yard with regard to specific requirements for taximeter cabs, and thereby enable would-be owner-drivers and others to purchase a vehicle at least as efficient and at a considerably less cost than is necessary to-day?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf specific suggestions are made for alterations in the prescribed conditions of fitness, the Commissioner will give them careful consideration, but the safety of the public must be the paramount consideration, and the Commissioner would not feel justified in whittling down the margin of safety.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that these conditions hold good in every other city; that the London taxicab driver has to pay mere for his cab, with these restrictions, dial] any other taxicab driver anywhere else, and should not this be taken into consideration?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI bear all these facts in mind, and if the hon. Member will make any concrete suggestions. I will see that they are considered by the Commi ssioner of Police. The paramount consideration must be the safety of the public who have to travel in these taxicabs.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIf they are authorised to carry four people, will the right hon. Gentleman see that they do carry four people, without an extra charge being made?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSUnder the existing system the additional fares, other than the first two passengers, are part of the remuneration of the taxi-driver.
§ Sir FRANK MEYERIs it not a fact that excellent closed cabs driven with absolute safety by private owners are sold at a cost less than half it costs to buy a taxicab, and will the right hon. Gentleman carefully inquire into it?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt has been inquired into carefully during the past few months, and I have raised the point with the Commissioner of Police. The reply I received was that a car may be sufficiently sound, but that quite a different standard of stability is required for a taxicab which is constantly driven about the streets.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLDo they not have to pass an examination every year; and is it not possible that a vehicle could be provided at a much cheaper price, and the public get cheaper fares?