§ 18. Mr. WILMOTasked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of cases of bilking reported to the Metropolitan police by taximeter-cab drivers during the last three years, the number of persons traced, the number of actions taken, and the number of convictions secured?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo separate record is kept of these cases, but I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the police have no reason to believe that the offence is at all prevalent.
§ Mr. WILMOTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the organisation of the 1208 taximen complains that this particularly mean and despicable practice is on the increase, with the result that the drivers lose a lot of time and money in chasing these defaulters, and in many cases they only get the actual fare and no expenses when the cases come before the courts?
§ Sir J. SIMONIf the organisation to which the hon. Member refers would like to communicate with me, I shall be very glad to consider what they have to say.