asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases where violence has been offered or used by a taxi driver against a mini-cab driver have come to the attention of the Metropolitan Police; and what prosecutions have been instituted.

Up to 28th June three cases had been reported to the Metropolitan Police of alleged violence by a taxi driver against a mini-cab driver and four cases of alleged threats of violence. It is not the practice of the Metropolitan Police themselves to prosecute in cases of common assault, but police enquiries have been made or are in hand to attempt to trace the persons concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been instituted for breaches of the law by mini-cabs in the Metropolitan Police area.

The Metropolitan Police are initiating fifteen prosecutions for plying for hire without a hackney carriage licence. Other similar cases are under consideration. Consideration is also being given to the institution of proceedings in nine cases for the use of a vehicle either wholly or mainly for the purpose of advertisement within three miles of Charing Cross contrary to the London (Waiting and Loading) (Restriction) Regulations, 1958.