Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in implementing section 165 of the Equality Act 2010 which places a duty on taxi drivers to assist passengers who are wheelchair users.

In February 2014, I instructed officials to carry out a survey, through the Disability Action Alliance, in order to provide Ministers with a better understanding of the range of issues facing wheelchair users when using taxis or PHVs around the country. I have shared the survey with Ministerial colleagues and discussions are continuing across Government on how best to address this issue.

In addition, the Law Commission's recently published (23^rd May 2014) comprehensive review of taxi legislation also considered this matter and the Government will be responding to this document in due course.