§ 61. Mr. C. S. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction of taxicab drivers with the inadequate increase in fares permitted since the increase in the cost of petrol; and whether he will take this into account when coming to a decision on the recommendations contained in Sir Alan Rae Smith's Report.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for St. Marylebone (Sir W. Wakefield) on 25th May, in which my right hon. Friend announced that he had made an order increasing taxicab fares in the Metropolitan Police District.
§ Mr. TaylorCan the hon. Gentleman say how many taxicab drivers are now on strike, and how long the strike is likely to last?
§ Mr. de FreitasThat has nothing whatsoever to do with this Question, so I will not say.