Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of levels of congestion and pollution in London, whether they will take urgent steps to ensure that Transport for London has powers to limit the numbers of private hire vehicles they license, if possible without legislation.

The Government supports choice for consumers, and wants to see both taxis and private hire vehicles prosper in London and elsewhere. The Mayor and Transport for London, together with the police and local authorities, have a range of tools available to them to deal with congestion and vehicle pollution. Effective use of these tools will allow both licensed taxi and private hire vehicles to lawfully meet the demands of London’s travelling public.