§ 44. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the report of the Working Committee on Hackney Carriages; and what decisions he has made on its recommendations.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothThe Reports of the Working Party on Hackney Carriage Law are still under consideration.
§ Mr. BrockwayCan these Reports be made available to Members of the House, and, secondly, in considering them, will the hon. Gentleman pay particular attention to the recommendation that the undemocratic practice of limiting station ranks to a few privileged taxicab owners, as is the case in Slough, shall be put an end to?
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothIt is not intended to publish the Working Party's Report. As far as the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary is concerned, privileged cab ranks are, of course, one of the subjects dealt with by the Working Party. My right hon. and gallant Friend will personally consider this matter, but it is right to say that it is not the most urgent of the questions dealt with by the Working Party.
§ Mr. EdeCan the hon. Gentleman say when his right hon. and gallant Friend will reach decisions and when they will be published?
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothThe final Report of the Working Party was received only in April, and it will be some months before it is possible to come to decisions on all the matters concerned.
§ Mr. BrockwayWould it be possible to put a copy of this Report in the Library so that it is available to hon. Members?
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothThese Reports are, in fact, advice tendered to Ministers by their officials and technical experts, and it is not the practice to publish them.