My Lords, why does not the Minister fess up and acknowledge that the Government have made a complete shambles of taxi regulation? The only way in which we got effective regulation of taxis and any sense out of the Deregulation Bill, which the Government introduced ahead of the Law Commission’s final position, was through Cross-Bench and Labour amendments which the Government eventually effected. Now we have another Act of Parliament on which consultation is still taking place after five years. The record is disgraceful and the Minister should acknowledge that.

My Lords, why does not the Minister fess up and acknowledge that the Government have made a complete shambles of taxi regulation? The only way in which we got effective regulation of taxis and any sense out of the Deregulation Bill, which the Government introduced ahead of the Law Commission’s final position, was through Cross-Bench and Labour amendments which the Government eventually effected. Now we have another Act of Parliament on which consultation is still taking place after five years. The record is disgraceful and the Minister should acknowledge that.

My Lords, I speak from the Back Benches because we have two excellent Front-Benchers who are concerned with the Bill. I find that my usual blissful state of either opening on legislation or winding up has now been reduced to a middle position in the debate, where everything I want...

My Lords, I speak from the Back Benches because we have two excellent Front-Benchers who are concerned with the Bill. I find that my usual blissful state of either opening on legislation or winding up has now been reduced to a middle position in the debate, where everything I want...

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why Euro IV taxicabs, which are fully compliant with European Union emission standards, are subject to a higher rate of vehicle excise duty.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why Euro IV taxicabs, which are fully compliant with European Union emission standards, are subject to a higher rate of vehicle excise duty.

: My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 7 to 10. Section 89 of the Road Traffic Act (tests of competence to drive) enables the Secretary of State to make regulations about tests of competence to drive. Section 89(3)(b)...

: My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 7 to 10. Section 89 of the Road Traffic Act (tests of competence to drive) enables the Secretary of State to make regulations about tests of competence to drive. Section 89(3)(b)...

My Lords, I am dealing with the amendment before the House. It is not for me to enter into conjecture about what might be done at future stages. If noble Lords went into the Lobby on the basis that there is a broad intention to which they subscribe but aware...

My Lords, I am dealing with the amendment before the House. It is not for me to enter into conjecture about what might be done at future stages. If noble Lords went into the Lobby on the basis that there is a broad intention to which they subscribe but aware...

My Lords, as anticipated, this has been an interesting debate and it would be difficult for me to reply without undue length to every single point. On the question put by the noble Baroness, the circumstances she has identified would invite a series of other potential charges beyond careless driving....

My Lords, as anticipated, this has been an interesting debate and it would be difficult for me to reply without undue length to every single point. On the question put by the noble Baroness, the circumstances she has identified would invite a series of other potential charges beyond careless driving....

My Lords, it is not for me to go into the decision-making processes of groups such as PACTS, but let me say that it enjoys a high reputation because its members support what it does and the Government take seriously representations from that source. I sought to disabuse noble Lords...

My Lords, it is not for me to go into the decision-making processes of groups such as PACTS, but let me say that it enjoys a high reputation because its members support what it does and the Government take seriously representations from that source. I sought to disabuse noble Lords...

My Lords, we are coming back on the substantive issues, but we are where we are. I described to the House the effect of the amendment that was passed and the change to the Bill that the other place then considered. The noble and learned Lord disagreed with the Government...

My Lords, we are coming back on the substantive issues, but we are where we are. I described to the House the effect of the amendment that was passed and the change to the Bill that the other place then considered. The noble and learned Lord disagreed with the Government...

My Lords, I beg to move, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 6. The House will recall that we discussed this issue at considerable length when we first considered the Bill. An amendment was made to Clause 20 to the effect that, where the...

My Lords, I beg to move, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 6. The House will recall that we discussed this issue at considerable length when we first considered the Bill. An amendment was made to Clause 20 to the effect that, where the...

My Lords, I will write in full to the noble Earl. He will recognise that the first part of the process is to deal with the issue of appeal. Obviously, in those circumstances the rights of the individual need to be protected, and we have guaranteed that. I will write...

My Lords, I will write in full to the noble Earl. He will recognise that the first part of the process is to deal with the issue of appeal. Obviously, in those circumstances the rights of the individual need to be protected, and we have guaranteed that. I will write...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 13 to 15. In doing so, I ask the noble Lord, Lord Bradshaw, not to move his Amendments Nos. 16A and 17A, but I shall of course seek to reply to any...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 13 to 15. In doing so, I ask the noble Lord, Lord Bradshaw, not to move his Amendments Nos. 16A and 17A, but I shall of course seek to reply to any...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 11 and 12. These are the principal amendments dealing with taxis and private hire vehicles, sometimes known as minicabs. They introduce two new clauses. The remaining amendments in this group are consequential...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 11 and 12. These are the principal amendments dealing with taxis and private hire vehicles, sometimes known as minicabs. They introduce two new clauses. The remaining amendments in this group are consequential...

My Lords, I indicated at the beginning that I knew the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lyell, and I would collide over this Bill on a matter of principle—and so we have; we are quite explicit about that. I have tried to explain the Government’s position as accurately as I...

My Lords, I indicated at the beginning that I knew the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lyell, and I would collide over this Bill on a matter of principle—and so we have; we are quite explicit about that. I have tried to explain the Government’s position as accurately as I...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 26. This is the privilege amendment. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. 27: Insert the following new Schedule— ““PROHIBITION ON DRIVING: IMMOBILISATION, REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF VEHICLES Cases to which...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 26. This is the privilege amendment. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. 27: Insert the following new Schedule— ““PROHIBITION ON DRIVING: IMMOBILISATION, REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF VEHICLES Cases to which...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 27 to 34. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 27 to 34. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 18 to 25. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. 26: Page 59, line 32, leave out subsection (2)

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 18 to 25. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. 26: Page 59, line 32, leave out subsection (2)

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 17. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. [Amendment No. 17A not moved.] 18: Leave out Clause 52 19: Leave out Clause 53 20: Leave out Clause 54 21: Leave out...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 17. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. [Amendment No. 17A not moved.] 18: Leave out Clause 52 19: Leave out Clause 53 20: Leave out Clause 54 21: Leave out...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 16. Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 16.—(Lord Davies of Oldham.)

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 16. Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 16.—(Lord Davies of Oldham.)

My Lords, I am doomed to disappoint noble Lords this evening, even when, it is fair to say, the Government are being at their most constructive. We have had extensive debates on level-crossing safety and bridge strikes. I indicated to noble Lords the significant progress we made on this, not...

My Lords, I am doomed to disappoint noble Lords this evening, even when, it is fair to say, the Government are being at their most constructive. We have had extensive debates on level-crossing safety and bridge strikes. I indicated to noble Lords the significant progress we made on this, not...

My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons amendments be now considered. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. [The page and line references are to Bill 113, as first printed for the Commons.] 1: Leave out Clause 2

My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons amendments be now considered. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. [The page and line references are to Bill 113, as first printed for the Commons.] 1: Leave out Clause 2