§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps must be taken by a proprietor in dispute with a hackney carriage driver for whom he holds a duplicate licence; [124559]
(2) if he will issue guidance to magistrates on the conduct of disputes between hackney carriage drivers and proprietors; [124651]
(3) if he will issue guidance to magistrates on the steps to be taken by a hackney carriage driver to secure the return of his duplicate licence which has been deposited at a magistrates court by a proprietor. [124558]
§ Mr. HillThe statutory procedure governing disputes between hackney carriage drivers and proprietors about drivers' duplicate licences is set out in the London Hackney Carriages Act 1843.
There are no plans to issue guidance on this issue since the interpretation of legislation is a matter for justices in exercise of their judicial discretion.