§ Sir GEORGE TOUCHEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the monthly allowance of petrol to private-hire motor cars and taxi-cabs, respectively, and say why the distinction is made, seeing that, in large measure, the private-hire cars and taxi-cabs do the same class of work, although subject to different restrictions?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe monthly allowance of petrol for private-hire motor cars is 30 gallons per car where the owner has one car only, 25 gallons per car where the owner has two cars only, and 20 gallons per car where the owner has three cars or more; the monthly allowance for a taxicab is 60 gallons, 50 gallons, or 40 gallons, according to the population of the town in which the cabs are licensed. The taxi-cab is a public service vehicle, licensed by a police or other local authority to ply for hire, and is subject to Regulations as to fares and to police supervision at all times. The private-hire motor car is not re-1444W stricted as to fares or subject to inspection by the police, and is used for and restricted to the same purposes as a private car.
§ Sir G. TOUCHEasked the President a the Board of Trade why the use of private hire-cars is restricted to certain purposes while taxi-cabs suffer no such restriction; and if he is aware that the effect of the differentiation is to transfer the business of private car owners and drivers to the taxi-cabs to the injury of the former?
§ Mr. WARDLEI am not aware that the effect of the differentiation between the private-hire car and the taxi-cab is resulting in the transfer of business from the former to the latter. The radius of operation of the taxi-cab is restricted to the area in which it is licensed to ply for hire and three miles therefrom.
§ Sir G. TOUCHEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many private-hire cars were adapted for the use of gas on the statement that it was permissible to use coal gas provided it was used under atmospheric pressure; seeing that, after considerable expense had been so incurred, the use of gas cars is prohibited except for the class of work which is still allowed to be done by the use of petrol, whether any representations have been received pointing to the hardship thus imposed on private car owners; and if he can indicate any prospect of its alleviation?
§ Mr. WARDLEI am not aware that more than a very small percentage of the private-hire motor cars have already been adapted for the use of gas, and in those cases the cars may still be let for hire under practically the same conditions as have been applicable to hire cars for the last eight months. I regret that the present need for the utmost reduction in the expenditure of labour and material for other than war purposes precludes the possibility of any extension of the use of gas or the manufacture of gas containers and fittings, or the maintenance of cars, for purposes other than those already authorised in the Motor Spirit (Consolidation) and Gas Restriction Order. 1918.