HL Deb 12 February 1979 vol 398 cc972-4

2.45 p.m.

Baroness PHILLIPS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the increase in London taxicab charges will be agreed.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and SOCIAL SECURITY (Lord Wells-Pestell)

My Lords, representatives of the London taxi trade were informed by the Home Office on 3rd January that the Government were prepared to agree to an increase in London taxi fares which takes account of the recommendations of the Price Commission and is based on the increase in cab operating costs, with an allowance for increased earnings consistent with the Government's earnings guidelines. After consideration and further talks with the Home Office, the trade suggested modifications to the Government's proposals. These are now the subject of discussions between them and the Home Office.

Baroness PHILLIPS

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that there is a great sense of frustration, and indeed injustice, in this trade, which serves London remarkably well, because of the long delay in attempting to deal with their case? May I further ask whether he is aware that they are not able to avail themselves of the opportunity which other workers have to take their case to any independent arbitration, as they should like to do?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, we are not unmindful of the difficulties which are being experienced by the London taxi drivers at this particular stage. I would remind my noble friend that in December 1977 the Government agreed to an increase of 10 per cent. in accordance with guidelines at that time, and then decided to refer the question of taxi costs, prices and margins to the Price Commission. The Price Commission sat early in 1978, published its report as recently as last August and have a number of recommendations at which the Home Office have been looking and have discussed recently with the taxi drivers. We hope the matter will be resolved successfully in the not too distant future.

Baroness PHILLIPS

My Lords, I should like to ask the Minister whether he is aware that, unlike most cases of this kind, there cannot be retrospective action; in other words, the money that they have not received cannot be claimed? Therefore the long delay will really cause the workers a great sense of injustice, and I am afraid that for the customer the service will dry up. That we do not want to see.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, if I may say so, that is all the more reason for both sides, and particularly those representing the taxi drivers, to endeavour to come to some satisfatory conclusion of this matter at the earliest possible moment.