asked the Secretary for Mines whether, with a view to avoiding unnecessary consumption of petrol, he will take steps to prohibit taximeter-cabs from cruising for hire on the streets of London?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, loitering by taxi-cabs in certain London streets is prohibited by law. Further the present petrol allowances to London taxi-cabs were granted on the understanding that all practicable steps would be taken by the operators to avoid waste of petrol and in particular that unnecessary "cruising" would be avoided. The matter is under constant survey by the police, and if it came to knowledge that unnecessary cruising were taking place, it would be for consideration what steps should be taken in the matter.