§ 17. Sir J. Barlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, when issuing licences, he will make it a condition that in future London taxicabs must be so constructed that passengers using the back seats do not have to remove their hats to avoid continually knocking the brim of the rear thereof against the back roof of the taxicab.
§ Mr. VosperThe current design of taxi which appeared on the roads for the first time in 1959 is, I am informed, satisfactory in this respect in the case of passengers and hats of normal dimensions.
§ Sir J. BarlowWhile I thank my hon. Friend for his reply and I quite agree that the newer types of taxis are better, does he not realise—has he not found out for himself with his great height—that the lower doors make it more difficult for people to enter, and likewise the new taxis are more difficult for the aged because there is no step?
§ Mr. VosperI do not think I am of normal dimensions. The point that I had particularly in mind was the back-shelf improvement in the 1959 version. I shall look at the other point which my hon. Friend has mentioned, but I think he will find that the 1959 version is more satisfactory.