§ 17. Mr. Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his consultation on the Maxwell Stamp Report on the taxi trade; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillDuring the last three years consultations have been proceeding at official level. My right hon. Friend intends now to review the progress made and to consider how best to bring matters to a conclusion.
§ Mr. FinsbergDoes the hon. Lady accept that that is as unsatisfactory an answer as I had from her predecessor, my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Lane)? Does she not believe that three years' official consultation while the growing scandal of mini-cabs goes on is far too long? Will the hon. Lady please try to produce a White Paper during the time that she may occupy her office over the next 12 months?
§ Dr. SummerskillI remind the hon. Gentleman that the Maxwell Stamp Report was with the Conservative Government for three years. We have had the report for just over three weeks, and we shall act on it urgently.
§ Mr. Arnold ShawIs my hon. Friend aware that in the last Labour administration the Government did something in the matter of the London taxi cabs? Is she aware that the Maxwell Stamp 618 Committee was set up, but in the interim of three and a half years nothing has been done?
§ Dr. SummerskillI can only deplore the limited progress which has been made in the last three years and assure hon. Members that we are making every possible speed with preparing conclusions on the report.
§ Mr. FinsbergOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.