§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if flexibility will be granted to local authorities discretion, in circumstances where wheelchair-accessible vehicles are taken off the road for short periods following accidents or awaiting repair, to allow taxis which are not 617W wheelchair accessible to be operated in the interim period, where the original vehicle will return to use. [25359]
§ Mr. NorrisIf a taxi is taken off the road for a period, there is nothing to stop an owner transferring the taxi licence to a substitute vehicle, but the substitute will have to meet the local taxi standards, including wheelchair accessibility where appropriate; it may have to be tested if the licensing authority requires, and licensing fees may be payable.