asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that many taxicab users in London, including in particular tourists from overseas, are confused by the discrepancy between the basic fares shown on taxi meters and those which they are actually charged, and that numerous altercations arise because of the arrangement whereby extras are charged, if he will consolidate the increases in fares since 1974 to the basic fares shown on the meter.

The tariff for London taxi fares is at present under consideration and I hope that it will be possible for the new fares to be shown on the meter. There are, however, over 12,000 London taxis, and the work of converting and checking their meters will necessarily take some time.