§ 41. Mr. Deedesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet received the report of the working party on London taxicabs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EdeI have received an interim report dealing with the limitation of the number of cabs and drivers in London, and I understand that a further report covering the whole field of hackney carriage law is well advanced and that it is hoped to let me have it shortly.
§ Mr. DeedesWill the Committee report on the subject of taximeters, because it is eight months since taxi fares went up and most drivers are finding that the present system leads to very bad business?
§ Mr. EdeI had hoped by now to be able to give instructions that taximeters should be altered; but I received certain representations from the owners to which I have had to give some consideration.
§ Mr. GibsonWhen my right hon. Friend uses the word "shortly," does he mean Within, say, the next 12 to 14 days?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonDoes my right hon. Friend propose to publish the interim report without waiting for the final report?