HC Deb 24 March 1949 vol 463 cc539-40
26. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the rules governing the return to London taxi-drivers of unclaimed lost property handed in by them.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

Under paragraph 52 of the London Cab Order, 1934, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis may either deliver the property to the cab driver, or sell or otherwise dispose of it and pay the driver an award.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Finsbury taxi-drivers have been charged by the police more than two-thirds of the value of the property handed in or whatever they have to pay before the police return the balance? Does he not think that an unreasonable amount?

Mr. Ede

I do not quite understand the supplementary question, but, if it means that they get about one-third of the value—

Mr. Platts-Mills

Yes.

Mr. Ede

—that is a matter which might be considered. If the hon. Member has any particular cases he can bring to my attention, I shall be willing to examine them in order to see that appropriate rewards are paid to the men.

Sir W. Smithers

What happens when taxi-drivers live in Moscow?