Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Law Commission’s report on Taxi and Private Hire Services, May 2014, if the Government will implement recommendation 21.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
Since the Law Commission’s comprehensive review of taxi and private hire regulation in England and Wales the sector has undergone profound and rapid change. At a Westminster Hall Debate last year, the Rt Hon John Hayes MP announced the formation of a Task and Finish group to consider any regulatory issues and remedies, including the Commission’s recommendations.
I am grateful to my honourable friend for the time she has dedicated as a member of this group and look forward to considering the recommendations contained in the group’s report.
Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many accidents involving pedicabs have been reported in each of the last three years; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce accidents involving those vehicles.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The Department for Transport does not separately identify pedicabs in road casualty data. However, following discussions with Transport for London and other stakeholders, we have concluded that there is a need to regulate pedicabs and are investigating a suitable legislative slot to do this.
Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many taxi and private hire vehicle drivers have been reported for offences against passengers in each of the last five years.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department for Transport does not currently hold any data on the number of taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers who have been reported for offences against passengers.
I am glad that my honourable Friend has agreed to be a member of my Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licensing, which is considering cross-border working, enforcement and passenger safety as key areas for discussion. I have tasked the group with providing focused recommendations for action, which I look forward to receiving for consideration in the New Year.
Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many taxi and private hire drivers have been reported for offences against passengers whilst working outside their own licensing authority area in each of the last five years.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department for Transport does not currently hold any data on the number of taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers who have been reported for offences against passengers.
I am glad that my honourable Friend has agreed to be a member of my Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licensing, which is considering cross-border working, enforcement and passenger safety as key areas for discussion. I have tasked the group with providing focused recommendations for action, which I look forward to receiving for consideration in the New Year.
Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to cap private hire licensing by Transport for London to reduce cross border-hiring.
Answered by John Hayes
The Mayor of London has recently written to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting a reform of the law to give Transport for London the power to cap the number of private hire vehicle driver licences. The Mayor requested this reform as part of a wider package of measures which the Secretary of State has asked him to provide details of, sharing how the proposal would work in practice.