§ 66. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that hirers of motor cars and taxi-cab drivers in the provinces have no radius limit for journeys such as obtains in the Metropolitan area; and will he apply a similar maximum mileage to the provinces?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)Radial restrictions on the use of private hire cars apply both in the Metropolitan police area and the provinces. As regards taxi-cabs I would refer to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas) yesterday.
§ Mr. LipsonWill the hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that taxi-drivers in Cheltenham tell me they are compelled at present by the law to take passengers to dog races from Cheltenham to Bristol and back again, a matter of 85 miles, and is that to be allowed?
§ Major LyonsCan the hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to implement the pledge which he gave on 17th March to Parliament contemporaneously with the ending of the basic petrol ration to put an end to the hire and driving of motor vehicles in this way?