HC Deb 11 February 1992 vol 203 cc421-2W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what appeal procedure is available to a taxi driver who is considered not to be a fit and proper person to hold a taxi licence; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

Any person who is aggrieved at the decision of a licensing authority to refuse, suspend or revoke a hackney carriage (taxi) driver licence for any reason has a right of appeal as follows:

In London The appeal should be made under section 17 of the Transport Act 1985 to either the licensing authority (the Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis) for reconsideration; or to a magistrates' court. An unsuccessful appeal to the assistant commissioner does not preclude an appeal to a Magistrates' court.

Outside London In the case of councils who license under Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 the appeal should be made to the magistrates court under section 59 of that Act. For councils who have not adopted the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and only license under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, appeals should be made to the crown Court under Section 7(1)(a) of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890. Any appeal to a court must be within 21 days of the licensing authority's decision. As far as I am aware in general this system works satisfactorily.