§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the steps he is taking to provide adequate protection for taxi drivers against attacks by members of the public; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that he considers that the presence of a partition between the driving position and the passenger compartment in a licensed taxi provides a considerable degree of protection from assault. Later models also have a central locking facility for all doors. A Department of Transport standing committee is considering the problem of violence towards road transport staff. The police are represented on that committee and an invitation has been extended to the taxi trade to take part in its deliberations