• - IoNgoN • TAxTcAits [To the Editor . of ThE . SPECTATOR.]
SLR,—May I put in a word on behalf of the .sadly maligned London taxicab ? I think the majority .of taxi-users r if. not, indeed, all of then, will agree that to make. such--a general attack.upon the London taxicab as that launched, hy Viscount Elibank, in-the House of Lords on the basis of personal expe- riences confined to two rides in two of the older cabs is entirely
unjust. .
There are about 8,000 cabs in London. The design and construction of them are, of course, determined by Police Regulations, and, in operation, the cabs are subject to con- stant inspection by, Scotland Yard. At least one-third of the present London fleet consists of practically new stock. Annually, within recent years, more than 500 new cabs have been put into operation. -Last year the number was 513.
In 1931. it was 643. In the two preceding years there were even more replacements. As the cost—between 1400 and f..500—of these cabs indicates, they are thoroughly sound examples of British engineering and bodywork. Their equip- ment includes such modern accessories as silent third-speed gears, safety glass, the new rubber upholstery-, -centre arm-
rests and chromium plated fittings. No capital in the world, indeed, has more comfortable, modern or safer taxicabs than London. ,
. As the -Earl of .Lucan pointed out in reply to Viscount Elibank, the, safety, record of London taxicabs would seem to indicate that they are maintainedin a high state of efficiency.
At this season of the year, when so many visitors are coming to London from the Provinces and abroad, it is singularly un- fortunate that entirely unwarranted efforts should be made to discredit what is after all a vitally important branch of the London passenger transport industry.—! am, Sir, &c.,
II. C. MANNING
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