§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he last met representatives of the London Hackney Carriage Trade to discuss the activities of unlicensed private hire vehicles in central London; [142528]
(2) when he plans to introduce regulations concerning competition between licensed taxis and (a) minicabs and (b) unlicensed operators in central London; [142555]
(3) what steps he is taking to curb the activity of unlicensed private hire vehicles in the centre of London; [142554]
(4) what recent discussions he has had with minicab companies in central London concerning the (a) safety of vehicles and (b) training of drivers. [142529]
§ Mr. HillA system of licensing London's private hire operators, drivers and vehicles is being introduced in three stages through the implementation of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998. From 22 January next year, Transport for London will start licensing London minicab operators; from 22 October it will be an offence to operate minicabs without the appropriate licence. Transport for London will take forward the second and third phases of implementation. I understand that they are having discussions with the taxi and private hire trades. It is already an offence to tout for minicab services; enforcement is a matter for the police.