13. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider making a regulation that in certain busy streets, at certain busy hours, such as St. James's Street in the middle of the day, taxi drivers may be permitted to set down their fares opposite their destination, thus reducing a volume of turning traffic which at present entirely chokes transit.
§ Mr. EdeThe general position under the existing law is that the driver of a taxicab is required to take the hirer to the place to which he wishes to go. There is, however, nothing to prevent the driver setting down the hirer opposite his destination, if he does not object. On the information before me, I do not think 554 that a regulation on the lines suggested would be justified.
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that it is sufficiently well known among taxi drivers that they are entitled to set down their fares opposite the destination if they wish and if the fares are quite willing?
§ Mr. EdeYes, Sir, but I understand that it is the desire of the driver that he should part with his fare on reasonably good mutual relations.
§ Mr. KeelingWould it not be simpler to prohibit turning in specified two-way streets? It is already illegal in all one-way streets.