§ 6. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the number of hackney carriage licences issued in Belfast in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. CarterThe number of hackney carriage licences issued for Belfast in each of the past three years was 634 in 1974, 734 in 1975, and 735 in 1976.
§ Mr. FreudAs that is clearly not the total number of taxis, will the Minister 1734 accept that the large number of un licensed, overcrowded and potentially dangerous taxis in Belfast at present is very much out of line with his policy of fair and effective enforcement of the law?
§ Mr. CarterI am sorry, but the figure that I have given represents the total number of taxis operating in that city. If the hon. Gentleman has different information, I shall be pleased to hear it.