asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) on what basis he determines that the number of private hire cars operating in a given area is adequate to the public need;

(2) why he turns down applications for petrol for vehicles that have been granted a hackney carriage licence.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on 22nd January.

But that reply did not make it clear whether those who use these services in the local area were in fact consulted; and is it not time that there was consultation with users, and not merely local authorities?

The reply was perfectly clear, in that it indicated the basis upon which we make our allocations.

Could the Minister look into the question of asking local authorities how many hire vehicles are in certain districts, and not relying entirely on the local police, who cannot really be expected to know?

We feel that the information the police give us is as good as can he obtained for the area.