§ 31. Mr. Robert Mathewasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what qualifications and special training, other than an ordinary driving licence, are required under his regulations for persons setting up a public car-hire business of the minicab type in the Metropolitan area; and to what extent his regulations require that the public using such hire cars are fully protected by law and insurance in the event of mishap, as is a passenger in a fully-registered London taxicab.
§ Miss BaconNone. My right hon. Friend has no power to extend the controls which he exercises over London taxicabs to private hire cars which may not ply for hire. The compulsory insurance of passengers is governed by section 203 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, which applies equally to hire cars and to taxis.