§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities in the United Kingdom refuse to increase the number of taxi plates.
§ Mr. David MitchellIn the latest survey, carried out in 1980, it was established that in 249 of the 304 districts in England and Wales where taxi licensing was applied, the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences—taxi plates—on issue was limited. In 201 of these areas the total specified number had been taken up, and there were waiting lists for further licences. In some cases the number of applicants on the waiting list was more than twice the number of existing licences.