Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 31 January (HL4755), whether any authority has the power to limit the number of private hire vehicles licensed to operate in London; and whether they have received any representations from the Mayor of London on the need for such powers.

The Government supports choice for consumers, and wants to see both taxis and private hire vehicles prosper in London and across the country. As indicated in the answer of 31 January, the Government’s view is that although powers to limit the number of private hire vehicles do not exist, other mechanisms are available to address concerns regarding the operation of the taxi and private hire sector.

The Government has met with representatives of the Mayor on this issue.