HC Deb 25 February 1985 vol 74 c11
11. Mr. Amess

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations on the White Paper, "Buses", he has received from taxi drivers and taxi associations; and what were the main points made.

Mr. Michael Spicer

We have received over 300 representations from individual taxi drivers and their associations. About two-thirds of these took the form of circular letters. Ministers have also met many delegations from the trade. The taxi trade generally accepts the opportunity for new types of business contained in the Bill but is principally concerned that the quantity of taxi vehicle licences may be increased.

Mr. Amess

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of my constituents who are taxi drivers are concerned that the value of their investment in a licence will be dramatically reduced if there is no provision in the Transport Bill for a transitional period? Has my hon. Friend any words of comfort for them?

Mr. Spicer

My hon. Friend has taken a close and continuous interest in this matter on behalf of his constituents. We believe that the taxi trade generally accepts that something is wrong with a licensing system where it is necessary to pay large sums to enter the trade. Licence holders already stand to lose the plate value of their licence because district councils may refuse to renew them or because a council may issue more licences.

Mr. Dobson

Will the Minister recognise that, besides being bothered about its future, the taxi trade is extremely bothered about the prospect of all sorts of crooked outfits, some of them financied by experience gained in Hong Kong, moving into the British market, ripping off the public and providing a very poor standard of service? Their financial probity is, to say the least, in doubt.

Mr. Spicer

One of the worries is quantity licensing. After many representations from the industry, to which we have listened carefully, we have set out in the Bill that district councils can withold the granting of licences if they are satisfied that to issue more licences would have an adverse effect on the general availability of taxi services.