HC Deb 26 July 2000 vol 354 c611W
Mr. Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decision he has reached following the consultation on proposals to amend the law after the judgment in the case of Bensonv Boyce. [133204]

Mr. Hill

After very careful consideration of all the responses received and bearing in mind the weight of all the arguments, I have decided that the only people who should be entitled to drive a licensed private hire vehicle in England and Wales, outside London, without themselves having the appropriate licence, should be people conducting legally necessary tests, either of the vehicle or the driver. I am advised that it is already legal for people without a private hire vehicle driver's licence to conduct such tests. Accordingly, no order is necessary under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.