§ 27. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to announce when the Report of the Runciman Committee on the London taxicab service will be published; and what action he is taking on the Report.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI hope it will be possible to publish the Report early next week. The second part of the Question will be answered after publication.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonDoes the Financial Secretary realise that the London taxicab trade faces a very serious financial crisis at present, that all the London taxicabs are running at a loss, and that it is most urgent that the Government should make up their mind what to do about this Report?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAll those are matters which I think can be more fruitfully discussed when hon. Members have had an opportunity of discussing the Report.
Mr. VaneIs my hon. Friend aware that, if taxi fares go up, taxis will not only run at a loss, but will run empty?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat no doubt is one of the matters which will have to be considered in the light of the Report.