§ 59. Colonel Beamishasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the latest taxi-cabs are so designed that it is very difficult, particularly for strangers to London, to tell whether they are for hire or hired; if he is aware that this confuses many people daily; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI understand that all London taxi-cabs, including the latest, carry signs on the roof and on the taximeter to indicate when they are plying for hire. The Commissioner of Police has received no complaints about the visibility of these signs.
§ 60. Colonel Beamishasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the frustration caused to many people daily who unsuccessfully hail moving taxicabs apparently plying for hire; and why there is no approved and compulsory method for drivers of moving taxicabs to indicate when a vehicle without passengers is not for hire.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerA compulsory system of indicating that an empty taxicab is not for hire would require legislation for which I can at present hold out no hope.