Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Betts Excerpts

Thursday 8th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab)]

3. What steps he is taking to ensure consistent standards of taxi licensing across local authorities.

[Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)]

9. What steps he is taking to ensure consistent standards of taxi licensing across local authorities.

[Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab)]

16. What steps he is taking to ensure consistent standards of taxi licensing across local authorities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Guy Opperman]

There is already a database and already a duty on local authorities to share information. Licences can be taken away in the particular circumstances the hon. Lady identifies.

[Mr Betts]

Taxis and private hire vehicles are a very personal service, and it is important for customers that both the vehicles and the drivers have proper safety checks, so that if things go wrong they can take a complaint to the licensing authority. The problem is that when that authority is 100 miles away in Wolverhampton, the system simply does not work. When will the Minister legislate to ensure that journeys can be made in a licensed vehicle only when they either take place or finish in the licensing authority area?

[Guy Opperman]

With the greatest respect to the hon. Gentleman, we have already brought in changes to the rules that mean that individual authorities can take action against an individual operating in another authority, which is something I think he should welcome.