HC Deb 07 June 1951 vol 488 cc1215-6
42. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the considerations which caused him to include in his Order increasing taxicab fares in London, the provision under which an extra charge of 6d. is payable for the second passenger in a taxicab.

Mr. Ede

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Wembley, North (Wing Commander Bullus) on 31st May.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

But is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this increase, which bears no relation to the operational cost of the cab, has not put the total charge for a moderate length journey at so high a level that there is grave anxiety about whether the market is wholly ruined? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole of these figures in the light of his consideration?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir. This particular increase was pressed on me by both sides of the trade, by the owners and by the drivers, and in the light of the Report of Sir Alan Rae Smith on the financial position in the trade I think that this is justified.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Did the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the possibility of reducing the cost by running smaller taxis suitable for a maximum of two people?

Mr. Ede

That proposition has not been put to me.