§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will fund research on the personal security of passengers travelling in private hire cars and taxis.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Suzy Lamplugh Trust is commissioning research into the actual and perceived risks to personal security of travelling in minicabs in London which are not licensed, compared with taxis in London which are licensed: and whether minicab licensing, as practised outside London, alters the position.
The trust has sought a contribution from the Government towards funding and I have agreed that the Department of Transport will provide half the cost of the research, up to a ceiling of £20,500. I understand that the other half of the funding will come from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the Police Foundation which are jointly seeking additional funds from the private sector for that purpose; and that the research should be completed in about a year's time.