HC Deb 01 March 1977 vol 927 cc134-6W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has yet come to a decision on the application by the Glasgow District Council for the amending of its byelaws for hackney carriages; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he is satisfied that the review of taxi fares proposed by the Glasgow District Council takes account of the increase in the cost of operating a taxi since the last review; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Millan

I confirmed the amendments to the City of Glasgow Hackney Carriage Byelaws submitted by Glasgow District Council on 18th February. These amendments followed a review of the byelaws made by the council and included a revised fare structure for taxis and a proposal to abolish charges for extra luggage. The latter proposal was not accepted but I am satisfied that the increased charges in the fare structure fixed by the council take account of increases in costs.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about taxi fares charged in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee; and if he will publish a table showing the charge for one mile and four miles in each case.

Mr. Millan

Taxi fares in Edinburgh and Dundee are fixed by the district councils under local Acts and do not require confirmation. In Glasgow and Aberdeen, fares are fixed by means of byelaws which, since local government reorganisation, are required to be confirmed by me. Since then only Glasgow District Council has submitted any amendments, but the following information has nevertheless been made available to me:

Taxi Charges Oil Mile Fare Four Mile Fare
Glassgow 35p 95p
Edinburgh 37½p 1.05p
Aberdeen 40p 1.15p
Dundee 33p 87p

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for reviewing taxi fares in Scotland; and if he will consider establishing a tribunal with representation from the trade and the traveling public to consider such matters.

Mr. Millan

The present system of fixing taxi fares in Scotland was one of the subjects considered by the Working Party on Civic Government, whose report was issued last year by the Scottish Development Department. Consultations on the report with interested parties, including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and bodies representative of the taxi trade, are still taking place. Until these have been completed, I cannot anticipate what proposals for change in the existing system may be considered appropriate.