HC Deb 23 June 1966 vol 730 cc876-7
9. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now seek to extend the Hackney Carriage Acts to London, Heathrow, Airport, in view of the charges being made by taxis to and from London Airport.

47. Mr. St. John-Stevas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce legislation to abolish the six-mile taximeter limit on London taxicabs.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Government intend, when time permits, to introduce legislation to extend the control of fares for taxi journeys beyond the current six mile limit to include all journeys within the Metropolitan Police District, including those to or from London Airport.

Mr. Ridley

I am very grateful for that assurance. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the taxi union has brought pressure on a group of hotels to stop them using hire cars to get their customers from London Airport? Does he think that by extending the Hackney Carriage Acts he will remove the conditions in which this sort of intimidation can flourish?

Mr. Jenkins

I have not received any direct representations about this particular problem, but I certainly think that the London Airport positon is one of the very strong reasons for the original Answer I gave.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I also express my gratitude to the Minister for that reply. In view of the fact that this antiquated and anachronistic restriction causes so much bad feeling betwen the public and taxi drivers to the detriment of both, will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that we shall very soon see legislation on this subject?

Mr. Jenkins

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State was pressed a few moments; earlier to introduce legislation on another subject. We cannot legislate on all subjects at once. I certainly regard this matter as of considerable importance, but I cannot give a promise of legislation on it this Session.