HC Deb 25 May 1950 vol 475 cc2230-1
43. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to give his decision on the application made to him for a revision of taxicab fares in the London area.

Mr. Ede

I have today made an Order authorising an increase of 33⅓ per cent. in the fare for hiring a taxicab in the Metropolitan Police District. The Order will come into operation on 1st June, and will supersede the recent interim increase of 3d. per hiring. Until such time as the meters can conveniently be altered, the revised charges will be set out in a prescribed notice to be prominently and legibly displayed in the cab. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the valuable report which I received from Sir Alan Rae Smith.

Sir W. Wakefield

Can the Home Secretary say how long it will be before all the meters are able to be altered?

Mr. Ede

That will take a very considerable time, because the alteration involves moving from four adjustments in the pence column to get into the shillings column, to three alterations in the pence column. That will take a very substantial time.

Wing-Commander Hulbert

In view of this increase in the Metropolis, will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to coordinate fares in the Provinces, as there is a great discrepancy?

Mr. Ede

The various local authorities in the Provinces have responsibility there. I shall be quite willing to do what I can to help them, but I have no personal responsibility in the matter.

Mr. Gibson

Will my right hon. Friend make sure that the notice to be exhibited in the cab is large enough for passengers to read without causing difficulty to the taxi driver?

Mr. Ede

Yes, Sir. I have a copy of it here. It is 11 inches long and 4½ inches wide, and all the figures are quite legible; they cover everything up to six miles, beyond which, of course, separate arrangements have to be made.