Railway Stations (Taxis)

Oral Answers to Questions — Railways – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 3 March 1965.

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Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North 12:00, 3 March 1965

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the British Railways Board, to prevent it from imposing restrictions on the access of taxis to railway stations.

Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North

Does not the Minister know that one firm of taxi licence holders is given a monopoly to ply to and from Aberdeen railway station, to the exclusion of all other taxi owners in the city, thereby inflicting great loss and inconvenience upon the general public? Will he rectify this?

Photo of Mr Stephen Swingler Mr Stephen Swingler , Newcastle-under-Lyme

This is a managerial matter for the British Railways Board and it would not be appropriate for intervention by the Minister. It is a matter which was gone into in 1958 by a committee which reported that the present system of giving tenancies outside London was satisfactory. Firms have the opportunity to tender to the Board. We know that the hon. and learned Gentleman has been in communication with the Board about the matter, but it is something upon which the Railways Board must reply.

Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North

But is it within the Minister's direction—

Photo of Sir Harry Hylton-Foster Sir Harry Hylton-Foster , Cities of London and Westminster

Order. I think we had better get out of our taxis.