HC Deb 24 June 1948 vol 452 cc1536-7
10. Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that private car hirers are picking up and setting down at the Manchester railway stations, to the detriment of the licensed taxi drivers; and what reply he has made to the communication from the Manchester and District Taxi Drivers Association on this subject.

Mr. Gaitskell

I have received a letter from the Manchester and Salford Owner Drivers' Association on this subject and am advising them that the problem is one of enforcing the existing law under the Town Police Clauses Act and that no useful purpose would be served by attaching further conditions to allowances of petrol issued by my Department.

Mr. Hardy

Is the Minister prepared to act upon the suggestion of the Association that, if the cases are reported to the local offices, steps will be taken to withdraw the allocation of petrol for the purpose for which it was provided?

Mr. Gaitskell

If cases are reported to the local office they become matters for the police under the existing law. I am not sure that it would be right for me to impose an additional penalty.