Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F.HALLasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the arrangement come to under the agreement of 1918, which provided for taxi-cab drivers to receive a certain percentage of the takings on the clock and free petrol, is not being observed by certain of the companies owning cabs plying for hire in the London district; if any inquiries have been made into the matter; and whether any action is being taken to secure to the men their rights under the agreement and the payment of any retrospective amounts to which they may be entitled?
1377W
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. My right hon. Friend has recently sent a communication to me on this matter, and I am causing inquiries to be made of the taxi-cab drivers who are complaining. I will afterwards communicate with the hon. and gallant member when I have received the necessary information.
§ Sir P. GOFFasked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of taxi-cabs and other vehicles which have been put on the streets from 1st April, 1919, up to date; and how many taxi-cabs at present in France and owned by British firms have been granted permits for transhipment?
§ Mr. SHORTTOne thousand and ninety-three vehicles were licensed for the Metropolitan area during the period from 1st April to 5th May. This compares with 864 licensed during the same period last year. The increase is made up of 107 cabs, 87 omnibuses, and 35 tramcars. As regards the latter part of the question, I am informed that no licences for the importation of taxi-cabs from France have been issued nor have any applications for such licences been received.
§ Sir P. GOFFasked the Home Secretary what is the total number of taxi-cabs plying for hire in the London area to-day; how many more are available for use; and when will arrangements be complete for placing them on the road?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe total number of motor-cabs licensed to ply for hire in London for the year ended 30th April, 1919, was 4,742. I am informed that one company is preparing its vehicles for service at the estimated rate of fifty per week, and it is stated 1,000 of such will be available as the material is procured. Several other manufacturers have made inquiries with a view to placing a suitable vehicle on sale.
§ Sir P. GOFFasked the Home Secretary whether he can state how many fresh licences have been granted to taxi-cab drivers from 1st April, 1919, up to date; what proportion of those have been granted to discharged sailors and soldiers; and whether he can see his way to relax the present severe geographical test in the examination for drivers' licences in the interest of our discharged sailors and soldiers?
§ Mr. SHORTTNine new licences to drive taxi-cabs were issued in April. Of1378W these six were issued to men who had served in His Majesty's Forces. It is important in the interest of passengers that candidates should know the topography of London, but I am considering the question.