§ 29. Mr. J. E. Crowderasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has come to concerning the limitation of the number of taxicabs in the metropolitan area.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have given careful consideration to the further representations made by the Transport and General Workers' Union to my predecessor and to myself as a result of the announcement made in May, 1951, of the late Government's decision not to introduce legislation for this purpose, and have informed the Union that I am not satisfied, on the information before me, that the introduction of legislation would be justified at the present time.
§ Mr. CrowderWill my right hon. and learned Friend keep the matter under review and, if any new facts should arise, perhaps again consult the Union?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeCertainly; if any new facts as to the position of the taxi-men and their earnings are placed before me, I shall be pleased to consider them again.
§ Mr. C. W. GibsonIs it not a fact that comparatively recently there was a very long and detailed inquiry by a working party which unanimously recommended that there should be a limitation on the number of taxicabs and the number of drivers? Surely the results of an inquiry of that description ought to be given a little more backing than seems so far to have been given by any Government.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI can only say that after the report of the working party my predecessor said in this House on 3rd May, 1951:
The Government have given careful consideration to the Report of the Working Party and have come to the conclusion they would not be justified, in present circumstances and on the information before them, in introducing legislation for the purpose of imposing a limit. …"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd May, 1951; Vol. 487, c. 158.]As I have said—and I think it is a fair way to approach it—if further information is placed before me I shall be pleased to reconsider the matter.