Written question asked by Lord Young of Cookham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 May 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 May 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: Statement on when he expects to issue the consultation paper on the proposed rules for London minicab operators in accordance with the implementation of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998. - Including ref to Consultation paper on operator licensing.

Answer: Sir George Young: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to issue the consultation paper on the proposed rules for London minicab operators in accordance with the implementation of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998. [85669] Ms Glenda Jackson: We have jointly issued the consultation paper today with the Public Carriage Office. I see this as an important step in bringing the safety of the travelling public in London into line with the rest of the country where the private hire trade has been regulated for many years. The document aims to strike a balance between the need to protect consumers and the interests of small businesses, without imposing too great a burden. There will be eight weeks for responses to the paper. Following assessment of the responses, I will if need be undertake a further, probably short, consultation before making an announcement about regulations for the licensing of London minicab operators. Further consultation documents will be issued on the rules for London minicab drivers and vehicles; I hope that this will be later this year and early next year respectively.

Secondary information