asked Her Majesty's Government:What redress members of the public have when harassed by unlicensed taxi drivers in London; and what steps they are taking to eliminate unlawful touting for custom by such drivers. [HL688]

Touting for taxi services is an offence under Section 167 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, whether or not the driver is licensed. Plying for hire (in London) without a taxi licence is also an offence under Section 7 of the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869. The penalty for both these offences is a fine not exceeding Level Four on the Standard Scale (£2,500). Enforcement of these legal provisions is a matter for the police.