HC Deb 19 April 1967 vol 745 cc578-9
10. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will introduce legislation to extend the provisions of the London Cab and Carriage Act 1907, to cover licensed taxis plying for hire at railway stations in places other than London.

62. Mr. Gurden

asked the Minister of Transport if she will bring forward similar legislation for the provinces to that which applies in London, preventing restriction on taxi cabs at railway stations.

Mr. John Morris

No, Sir. There is no evidence that the present system is working unsatisfactorily.

Mr. Price

Is my hon. Friend aware that considerable disquiet and unrest have been caused in Birmingham by the attempts of British Railways to impose some sort of restrictions on taxi cabs? Would he not agree that it is undesirable for a nationalised industry to attempt to introduce restrictive monopolies of this kind?

Mr. Morris

So far, we have had very few complaints in the country generally, and they have been from taxi-cab owners only. We have had virtually none from passengers. The previous Minister asked the Central Transport Consultative Committee to investigate the matter some years ago. It considered that the arrangements worked well, with one or two minor modifications, most of which have been accepted. In Birmingham, I understand that there have been discussions between the divisional manager and the association, and there are hopes that there will be an increase in the number of taxi cabs eventually which will be allowed to ply there.