§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to remove local authority powers to restrict the number of licensed cabs in a local authority area; and if he will make a statement. [138956]
§ Mr. McNultyWe are currently considering the taxi and private hire vehicle market study report published on 11 November by the Office of Fair Trading which recommended that local authorities' power to control918W taxi numbers (outside London) should be abolished. We are now consulting principal stakeholders and are committed to responding to the recommendations within 120 days of the report's publication.