§ 82. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the progress recently made by the London taxicab proprietors towards the adoption of the diesel engine as the motive power for London taxicabs as suggested by the Runciman Committee in their recent report; and whether, with the object of ensuring the maintenance of an effective taxicab service in London, he will consider the making to the owners of London taxicabs on which Purchase Tax has been paid, of a cash allowance towards the capital cost incurred on the conversion of each cab from petrol engine to diesel engine working.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI understand that 31 cabs have been converted and that the Commissioner of Police has authorised the conversion of 150 others; the answer to the second part of the Question is that I have no power to make such payments.