HC Deb 14 June 1951 vol 488 cc196-7W
28. Mr. Nigel Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for the publication of the Report of the Working Party on Hackney Carriage Laws.

Mr. Ede

The membership of this Working Party was restricted to representatives of the cab trade, Departmental officials and a representative of the Commissioner of Police. It has been concerned with practical questions rather than with issues of general principle, and I do not think it would be appropriate to publish its Reports.

Mr. Collick

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the Report of the Working Party or such other evidence as caused him to consent to the recent further increase in taxicab fares in the London area.

Mr. Ede

My recent decision to increase fares was reached after considering Reports on the financial position of the industry prepared, at my request, by an independent accountant. I could not publish the Reports without revealing information made available to me in confidence.