HC Deb 05 February 1948 vol 446 c1896
37. Captain Crowder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the numbers of taxicabs licensed in the Metropolitan area on the 31st December, 1947, and on the 31st December, 1939.

Mr. Ede

Five thousand, seven hundred and twenty in 1947, and 5,136 in 1939.

Captain Crowder

Would the Home Secretary consider issuing more licences because we are short of cabs in the Metropolitan area, and can he say how many new cabs have been licensed in this quarter?

Mr. Ede

I could only answer the second part of the question if it were put on the Paper. As far as I know there is no restriction on the number of licensed cabs. It will depend on the number of people who apply.

Mr. Baldwin

Before any more transport is available in the Metropolitan area to use petrol, will the Minister remember that the country districts want more petrol and more transport?