§ 3.45 p.m.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg (Hampstead)I beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the London Cab Act 1968.I am grateful that there is a full House to hear me asking for leave to introduce this Bill dealing with the London cab trade. It shows quite clearly the number of hon. Members who patronise that trade. There is a need to plug a gap in the 1968 Act. The measure I seek leave to introduce is but a small one designed to serve until the Government decide to legislate on the Maxwell Stamp Report.The absence of any statement from the Government on Maxwell Stamp is causing growing impatience in London, not only in the cab trade but among the reputable private hire companies too. All that this small measure does is to propose that the intention which was behind the 1968 Act, to prevent open or semi-open advertising by mini-cars on their vehicles, should be implemented and made clear.
A High Court decision has thrown this matter into doubt. Whether the advertising is by sign, symbol or number, whether it is by painting a stripe round the car, the measure that I seek leave to introduce would cover such points. There would be no bar on mini-car companies continuing their advertising in the Press, in the telephone directory, by cards and circulars delivered to people's homes.
There is a need to protect the public. If we ride in a London taxi we know from the start that the driver's character has been vetted, that the vehicle is frequently inspected, that it is insured and and the passengers are covered. It is right, if people accept an invitation to travel in a hired vehicle, that they should have the same assurance. This is fair competition, and I am certain that it has the backing of the reputable private hire companies and the properly conducted mini-car companies. I do not believe that any of them would feel aggrieved or hurt.
I have seen it reported that this measure is intended, in the modern journalistic term, to "clobber the mini- 468 car". This is not the intention. It is intended to put the mini-car and the London cab on an equal footing until the Government legislate on the far wider issue of Maxwell Stamp.
This measure has the support of the entire trade, which is somewhat unusual. It has the support of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association and the cab section of the Transport and General Workers Union. In those circumstances I hope the House will excuse me if I make only a brief statement asking for leave to introduce the Bill.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg, Mr. Raymond Fletcher, Mr. Ronald Brown, Mr. S. Clinton Davis, Mr. John Hunt, Mr. Neil Kinnock, Sir Ronald Russell, Mr. William Shelton, Mr. Graham Tope and Mr. Marcus Worsley.