§ Sir A. M. SAMUELasked the Home Secretary if he will ascertain from the taximeter-cab licensing authority for the Metropolitan area whether any steps are taken by that authority to prevent worn-out cabs, for which they have refused renewal licences, being offered by their owners to other authorities for licence to ply for public hire in other areas?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThere are, I understand, over 1,000 licensing authorities in the country and, apart from the considerable expenditure of time and trouble which would be involved in circularising them all, the Commissioner of Police informs me that, in his view, no useful purpose would be served by action on the lines suggested by my right hon. Friend, since the only question to be determined is whether a particular vehicle complies with the conditions of fitness prescribed by the licensing authority for the area in which a licence is sought. Very occasionally inquiries are received by the Metropolitan Police from other licensing authorities on the question whether particular vehicles have been rejected in London, and these inquiries are duly answered