Oral Answers to Questions — Education. – in the House of Commons am ar 16 Mai 1927.
Mr Harry Day
, Southwark Central
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received a letter of protest addressed to him from the conference of the London cab trade, which was held on Saturday, 30th April, stating that the conference considered the Home Secretary has failed to carry out the pledges which were given to the cab trade on 5th April, 1927, in the matter of concessions in exchange for their assent to the present reduction in fares; whether he is aware that the conference of the cab trade has threatened to withdraw its consent to such,reduction of fares; and if he can state what steps he has taken to carry out the conditions which were promised to the cab trade?
Mr William Joynson-Hicks
, Twickenham
I would refer the hon. Member to the letter which I addressed to the Federation of Taxi-cab Proprietors, which was published in the Press on the 6th instant. I will send the hon. Member a copy.
Mr Benjamin Smith
, Bermondsey Rotherhithe
Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the letter which he sent to the Press is, at least, beside the truth?
Mr William Joynson-Hicks
, Twickenham
The hon. Member has known me for some years, and I think he will regret that he has made that observation.
Mr Benjamin Smith
, Bermondsey Rotherhithe
The letter that was sent to the Press contains statements that were other than true, and I tusk the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the light of the statement he made in my presence to 24 delegates of the cab trade that he would withdraw the two-seater cabs, he has not failed in that pledge?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
I cannot allow a matter of that kind to be discussed at Question Time.
Mr Harry Day
, Southwark Central
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the concession of a reduction in fares made by the cab trade was only experimental and, if so, how long will the experiment continue?
Sir Frank Meyer
, Great Yarmouth
Will the Home Secretary bear in mind that the public of London would much prefer to walk than to be dictated to by a section?
Sir Gerald Strickland
, Lancaster
asked the Home Secretary whether steps will be taken to cause to be more legible the new taximeters called for by recent adjustments of fares?
Mr William Joynson-Hicks
, Twickenham
This matter has been receiving attention for some time and has been taken up with the taximeter manufacturers. The suitability of the converted taximeters with regard to legibility will be closely considered when they are submitted for approval.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
