HC Deb 26 May 1927 vol 206 cc2146-7
4. Colonel DAY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the dates when the plans for two-seater taximeter cabs were finally approved by the Metropolitan police department and the Home Office; and will he state whether he has taken any action to cancel the order permitting two-seater taximeter cabs to be licensed?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)

The conditions of fitness laid down for two-seater cabs were approved on 16th April, 1926. Three types of two-seater cabs have been approved by the Commissioner. In one of these cases the vehicle was last presented for inspection on 1st April, and approved subject to minor defects being rectified. It is expected to be finally presented for licensing in a few days. In the other two cases the type was approved on 10th June and 20th October last respectively, but up to the present the vehicles have not been presented for licensing. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16th instant.

Colonel DAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement made so persistently by the cab drivers that he promised to cancel the order for the two-seater cabs is untrue?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have repeatedly said in the House that that statement is not correct.

Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these two-seater cabs are far more economical to run and take up less space in the streets?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Yes, that is one of the reasons why I have promised to license them.