HC Deb 03 July 1931 vol 254 cc1610-1W
Mr. COLMAN

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the representations made to his Department by the London taximeter-cab drivers against the new Regulations curtailing their street activities; and what action he intends to take with regard to this matter?

Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the complaint by London taximeter-cab drivers as to the effect on their trade of the recent restrictions made with regard to them in the London Traffic Regulations; and what action he proposes to take?

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

Two proposals which affect taxi-cab drivers in London have recently been engaging my attention. In the first place I have given notice of my intention to make Regulations extending the existing restrictions upon cruising cabs to a number of additional streets; and in the second place I have made the London Traffic (Oxford Street) Regulations, 1931. As regards the first set of proposed Regulations, the statutory period of notice has not yet expired, and the representations which have been received from the associations representing the taxi-cab interests have been referred to the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee for their consideration and advice. The proposed Regulations do not in any way prevent the hiring of cabs in the prescribed streets, but merely require that in those streets an unhired cab, which is not on a rank, shall not proceed at a slower pace than that of the general flow of traffic. As regards the Oxford Street Regulations, before they were made on 22nd June, I received representations as to the effect which they would have upon the London taxi-cab interests. The Associations concerned have been informed that I am desirous that any movement of traffic which might militate against the success of the experiment with traffic control signals in Oxford Street should be avoided in the early stages, but that the Regulations will be specially reviewed when experience has been gained of the signalling installation with a view to ascertaining whether it would be practicable to withdraw the provision which requires that taxi-cabs shall not turn in Oxford Street and shall not wait except on a rank.