COMMERCIAL MINICAB SIGNAGE

Early day motion 1751, tabled 6 March 2006 by Lee Scott (Conservative). Signed by 27 members.

That this House notes with concern that a large number of women are sexually assaulted every year in London by illegal minicab drivers; further notes that the Public Carriage Office is considering permitting commercial signage on the exterior of licensed minicabs; is concerned that this will lead to the public being deceived by `imitation' unlicensed minicabs using bogus signage as a badge of respectability; believes that commercial signage will increase illegal touting in London and threaten to reverse the downward trend in sexual assaults against women; acknowledges that the Metropolitan Police Cab Enforcement Unit is already overstretched; is alarmed that the Public Carriage Office consultation only proposes one option for consideration and not the status quo; and calls on the Mayor of London and Transport for London to rule out the introduction of commercial signage for minicabs.

Signatures by party: Labour 12, Conservative 8, DUP 2, Liberal Democrat 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.