Mr. Hugh Creegan:

We have had discussions several times on the hackney driver licence issue. I understand the committee met representatives of the taxi advisory committee, a body which advises us. Their advice to us, ultimately, was not to subdivide the test areas and to retain the test as it was. That was its advice following the committee's discussion with them. That is the advice they gave us. Driver licences for hackneys are still being issued. In the past 18 months 856 licences have been issued to new drivers who can drive any hackney, taxi or limousine.