§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make an announcement in respect of the licensed cab trade's application for a fare increase.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have decided today to make an order allowing a substantial and long overdue increase in London taxi fares. This increase, which will come into effect on 22 July, will be the first change in London fares since December 1977. It will take fully into account the rise in cab operating costs since the last substantive fare increase in July 1975, as well as the implications for the trade of my right hon and learned Friend's recent Budget Statement.
The new tariff will incorporate a minimum fare of 50p (which includes a hiring charge of 30p) for the first 1,060 yards or 6 minutes. Thereafter the basic rate will be 10p for each 530 yards or 3 minutes. I have decided to correct the dis- 342W tortion in the present tariff by reducing the surcharge payable on journeys beyond 6 miles from 100 per cent. to 50 per cent. of the fare payable on the part of the journey beyond 6 miles.
In order to increase the supply of taxis at night, weekends and public holidays, I have decided that the extra charges for hirings at night (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and at weekends should rise from 10p to 20p and for hirings on public holidays from 20p to 30p.