Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on allowing private hire cars to ply for hire.

Private hire vehicles cannot legally ply for hire.

The Government is responsible for the legislative structure within which local licensing authorities deliver the licensing regime for taxis and private hire vehicles. Enforcement of the licensing regime, including ensuring that private hire vehicles do not illegally ply for hire, is a matter for local licensing authorities and the police.