§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases there have been in each of the last five years of assaults on Metropolitan taxi-cab drivers; whether he is satisfied that they have sufficient protection within the law against the special risks of their trade; and if will introduce specific penalties for passengers refusing to pay their fare.
§ Dr. SummerskillStatistics of assaults on taxi drivers are not kept separately, but we have no reason to believe that they need further legislative protection. The law on offences against the person is, however, currently under review by the Criminal Law Revision Committee.
Under the London Hackney Carriage Act 1831 and the London Cab Act 1896 it is an offence to refuse or avoid payment of a London taxi fare. Further protection for taxi drivers and others is proposed in the Theft Bill now before Parliament.