That this House congratulates just Cars of Reading for being the first private hire company in the town to fit door signs on its minicabs so that people know they are getting into a licensed car with a licensed driver; congratulates Reading Borough Council on insisting that all the 500 private hire vehicles in Reading should have such signs by April; and takes the view that such measures will protect the public from unwittingly getting into unlicensed vehicles which has too often ended in tragedy.

That this House congratulates just Cars of Reading for being the first private hire company in the town to fit door signs on its minicabs so that people know they are getting into a licensed car with a licensed driver; congratulates Reading Borough Council on insisting that all the 500...

That this House condemns the poor service endured by Mr Keith Roads and other disabled rail users as a result of the failure of Central Trains to make reasonable adjustments to overcome the barriers presented by inaccessible stations; agrees with the Disability Rights Commission that it is reasonable to expect train operating companies to pay the cost of accessible taxis, reasonable adjustments or other replacement services for disabled travellers where their stations are not accessible; notes with concern that over 1,850 stations out of a total of 2,500 on the rail network are classed as small, or unstaffed, inaccessible stations by the Strategic Rail Authority; further notes with concern that the Government has yet to begin consultation on accessibility regulations for taxis which are a vital part of the transport network for disabled people; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to ensure that train operating companies are actively undertaking access audits and making improvements to stations.

That this House condemns the poor service endured by Mr Keith Roads and other disabled rail users as a result of the failure of Central Trains to make reasonable adjustments to overcome the barriers presented by inaccessible stations; agrees with the Disability Rights Commission that it is reasonable to expect...

That this House is alarmed about the Office of Fair Trading's recent report on the taxi trade, which advocates the deregulation of the industry; is deeply concerned that since its publication, the OFT has engaged in a series of behind closed doors, so-called round table discussions across the country, promoting its own position against other options and without the involvement of representatives of those who work in that sector; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to listen to common sense and reject the dangerous and misguided meanderings of this body, before its actions and opinions ruin what is by and large a sensibly managed and regulated public transport service.

That this House is alarmed about the Office of Fair Trading's recent report on the taxi trade, which advocates the deregulation of the industry; is deeply concerned that since its publication, the OFT has engaged in a series of behind closed doors, so-called round table discussions across the country, promoting...

That this House notes with concern the report issued by the Office of Fair Trading on deregulation of the taxi service; expresses doubt about the recommendations for deregulation, given that the OFT fails to examine the effect on prices and that there is a lack of clarity on whether in a deregulated market all vehicles would be suitable for disabled people to use and with no real evidence that in areas without restrictions on the number of vehicle licences waiting times are lower; further notes that according to the Transport Select Committee Report into the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Market, the market has been the fastest growing form of transport over the last 25 years and has grown by more than 40 per cent. in real terms since 1994; and calls on the Government to reject the recommendations on deregulation proposed by the Office of Fair Trading.

That this House notes with concern the report issued by the Office of Fair Trading on deregulation of the taxi service; expresses doubt about the recommendations for deregulation, given that the OFT fails to examine the effect on prices and that there is a lack of clarity on whether in...

That this House condemns the fact that one woman each week is raped and a further 200 sexual assaults take place each year in minicabs in London; notes that the Public Carriage Office is considering permitting signage on the exterior of newly licensed minicabs; is concerned that this will lead to the public being deceived by imitation unlicensed private hire vehicles which will use signage as a badge of respectability thereby threatening public safety, and in particular women's safe travel; believes that exterior signage will increase illegal touting in London and create an extra enforcement headache for an already over-stretched police force in London; and calls upon the Mayor of London and Transport for London to rule out signage on the exterior of minicabs.

That this House condemns the fact that one woman each week is raped and a further 200 sexual assaults take place each year in minicabs in London; notes that the Public Carriage Office is considering permitting signage on the exterior of newly licensed minicabs; is concerned that this will lead...

That this House welcomes the Coventry Taxi Licensing Authority's provision of training for all new taxi drivers in coping with disabled passengers and in using the design features in Hackney carriages; notes that many experienced drivers who currently hold licences would welcome advice on how to deal with disabled passengers and how to use the specific features in vehicles to assist in providing a safe and secure journey for all passengers; and therefore calls on the Department for Transport to take action to remedy this situation.

That this House welcomes the Coventry Taxi Licensing Authority's provision of training for all new taxi drivers in coping with disabled passengers and in using the design features in Hackney carriages; notes that many experienced drivers who currently hold licences would welcome advice on how to deal with disabled passengers...

That this House, mindful that 2003 is European Union Year of the Disabled, notes London is rightly proud that it is the only city in the world with a fully wheelchair accessible fleet of Hackney carriages (taxis); further notes that the vehicles built by Coventry-based purpose-built taxi manufacturers, London Taxis International, and Tamworth-based Metrocab, strive to offer access for all with features fitted as standard, such as an integral fold-out wheelchair ramp, a step and swivel seat for the semi-ambulant, induction loops for the hard of hearing, colour contrasted grab handles and puddle lights to aid the partially sighted, light touch door handles and thick grab handles for the arthritic and a child seat built into the arm rest for parents; also notes the indispensable 25 foot turning, used on average four times an hour by drivers in London's narrow streets, ensures a safe pick and drop off for all; further notes that swing doors are easier and safer than sliding doors for passengers to use and that side loading of wheelchairs is safer and more dignified than rear loading used in some converted van taxis licensed outside London; and believes that with congestion charging coming into force from 17th February and Transport for London licensing private hire for the first time, the public's ability to be able instantly to recognise a wheelchair accessible taxi is more important than ever.

That this House, mindful that 2003 is European Union Year of the Disabled, notes London is rightly proud that it is the only city in the world with a fully wheelchair accessible fleet of Hackney carriages (taxis); further notes that the vehicles built by Coventry-based purpose-built taxi manufacturers, London Taxis...

That this House supports the aims of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association 'Access for All' campaign, asking all local authorities responsible for the licensing of private hire vehicles to include within their licensing rules a requirement that guide dogs must be allowed in vehicles with their owners; regrets that a minority of local authorities refuse to respond to the campaign or oppose its aims; recognises that guide dog owners are more reliant than most people on taxis and minicabs to get around and lead their lives; and, in common with the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, calls on the Government to introduce the necessary amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act to place a requirement on private hire vehicles similar to that placed on licensed taxis that guide dogs must be carried with their owners.

That this House supports the aims of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association 'Access for All' campaign, asking all local authorities responsible for the licensing of private hire vehicles to include within their licensing rules a requirement that guide dogs must be allowed in vehicles with their owners; regrets...

That this House recognises the work of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in drawing attention to the difficulties faced by guide dog owners when taxi and minicab drivers refuse to carry a guide dog; welcomes the proposals for implementing section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which will place a duty on licensed taxi drivers to carry guide dogs without charge; notes that this will still leave guide dog owners who have to rely on minicabs open to discrimination; and urges the Government to encourage local authorities when licensing minicabs in their areas to include within their licensing laws a requirement that guide dogs should be carried free of charge unless the driver has a proven medical condition which would preclude such action, and in London to include such a requirement when implementing the Private Hire Vehicle (London) Act 1998.

That this House recognises the work of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in drawing attention to the difficulties faced by guide dog owners when taxi and minicab drivers refuse to carry a guide dog; welcomes the proposals for implementing section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which...

That this House notes that licensed taxis play a vital role in the public transport network by providing a link between transport interchanges and the passenger's final destination; welcomes the fact that already in London and some other metropolitan districts all licensed taxis are wheelchair accessible and that, in due course, in the rest of the country they will be required to be accessible under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; is concerned that at present there is no statutory requirement that licensed taxis have access to railway stations' forecourts, and in some stations, such as Cambridge and Eastbourne, that licensed taxis have been excluded from forecourts; believes that all passengers, including the elderly and disabled, should have the opportunity to complete their journey in a licensed taxi that provides the passenger with the security of a regulated fare and complete accessibility; and calls upon the Government to take action to ensure that wheelchair users and other passengers have guaranteed access to a rank of licensed taxis at all railway station forecourts.

That this House notes that licensed taxis play a vital role in the public transport network by providing a link between transport interchanges and the passenger's final destination; welcomes the fact that already in London and some other metropolitan districts all licensed taxis are wheelchair accessible and that, in due...

That this House congratulates Premier Cabs of Blackpool on their decision to convert six of their taxis to run on liquid petroleum gas; notes that, as well as substantially reducing pollution, liquid petroleum gas costs about 39 pence a litre; is delighted that a Blackpool business is leading the way in environmentally-friendly transport; welcomes the news that this conversion will save Premier Cabs about ??5,000 per car per year; and encourages other taxi companies and high mileage road users to follow the lead of Premier Cabs and convert to liquid petroleum gas.

That this House congratulates Premier Cabs of Blackpool on their decision to convert six of their taxis to run on liquid petroleum gas; notes that, as well as substantially reducing pollution, liquid petroleum gas costs about 39 pence a litre; is delighted that a Blackpool business is leading the way...

That this House notes that Taxicard schemes are an extremely valuable resource for disabled and elderly Londoners, who are not able to utilise other forms of public transport, by providing subsidised taxi provision; recognises that more than 700,000 trips supported by such funding initiatives are made in London each year and that 45,000 Londoners are members of Taxicard schemes; expresses concern that a number of London boroughs are reducing the funding made available to Taxicard; and urges the Government to transfer responsibility for Taxicard to the Greater London Authority at the earliest opportunity, and ensure that during the interim period due consideration is given to funding mechanisms to guarantee the continuation of Taxicard schemes across London.

That this House notes that Taxicard schemes are an extremely valuable resource for disabled and elderly Londoners, who are not able to utilise other forms of public transport, by providing subsidised taxi provision; recognises that more than 700,000 trips supported by such funding initiatives are made in London each year...

That this House sees nothing wrong in taxi-cabs in Edinburgh displaying the flag of St. Andrew or the taxi-cabs of Cardiff adorned with the flag of St. David; and therefore calls upon the Metropolitan Police to reverse its decision to refuse to license taxi-cabs in London that display the flag of St. George.

That this House sees nothing wrong in taxi-cabs in Edinburgh displaying the flag of St. Andrew or the taxi-cabs of Cardiff adorned with the flag of St. David; and therefore calls upon the Metropolitan Police to reverse its decision to refuse to license taxi-cabs in London that display the flag...

That this House deplores the action of Pizza Hut, which, in its opposition to the national minimum wage, has cut funds for late night taxi services for its staff, many of whom are under 18 years and some of whom work as late as 1.00 am; considers such action prejudicial to the welfare and safety of Pizza Hut staff; and urges the company to reconsider its position.

That this House deplores the action of Pizza Hut, which, in its opposition to the national minimum wage, has cut funds for late night taxi services for its staff, many of whom are under 18 years and some of whom work as late as 1.00 am; considers such action prejudicial...

That this House notes the proliferation of vehicles with eight seats and fewer being licensed under Public Service Vehicle Operators' Regulations (O' Licences) in many parts of the country, including rail and air termini, thereby avoiding compliance with regulations designed to protect the public; further notes that the work performed by these operators is mostly indistinguishable from both Hackney carriage and private hire operations; further notes that this is contrary to the Government's view, as expressed in the Transport White Paper, that taxis form an important part of an integrated, accessible public transport system and the successful implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 with regard to accessible transport; is concerned that the laws governing the taxi and private hire trade are being circumvented and that local authority licensing departments have no control over the schemes; is further concerned that there is no requirement for topographical knowledge examinations, police or medical checks for the drivers, and that the vehicles need not meet the 2002 data for wheelchair accessibility compliance; believes that the Transport Act 1985 and Public Service Vehicles (Registration of Local Services) Regulations 1986 are currently being interpreted in a way that cuts across the scheme for licensing taxis which is expressly authorised by Parliament; and calls on the Government to remove ambiguities and ensure that legislation is not undermined by operators using PSV regulations to side-step regulations aimed to protect the public.

That this House notes the proliferation of vehicles with eight seats and fewer being licensed under Public Service Vehicle Operators' Regulations (O' Licences) in many parts of the country, including rail and air termini, thereby avoiding compliance with regulations designed to protect the public; further notes that the work performed...