§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health what is the number of taximeter-cabs now licensed in Romford and the number licensed for the nearest available date before the war; and what is the reason for the increase or decrease?
§ Mr. BoultonI have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is informed that there are 93 hackney carriages now licensed in the borough of Romford, and that on the 31st August, 1939, the number was 24. The matter is not one in which he has any jurisdiction. The grant or refusal of licences is entirely for the local authority, except that an unsuccessful applicant for a licence has a statutory right of appeal to the courts. The information before my right hon. Friend does not show how the number of licences has come to be 1961W increased, although it does show that the council have given careful consideration to the matter.