Taxi Licensing Seen As Unsatisfactory Litigation

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31142, 19 August 1966, Page 6

Taxi Licensing Seen As Unsatisfactory Litigation

Taxi licensing was one of the most unsatisfactory pieces of litigation in all transport licensing. There was so little law in it that it hardly amounted to more than administrative justice, the No. 8 Transport Lieensing Authority (Mr J. S. Haywood) said yesterday. : Six applications for new taxicab licences were set down for hearing yesterday, but were adjourned sine die after the Authority had said he was not prepared to make a general review as it was far too soon.

An application by Clive Morton Fossey, of 11 Blossomdale street (Mr P. G. Hill) which had been referred back to the Authority by the Transport Licensing Appeal Authority, was adjourned until September 19. In the hearing before the Appeal Authority (Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M.), earlier this year, Fossey appealed against licences being granted to several persons including A. J. Hatcher. Fossey's appeal against Hatcher was withdrawn, but this was overlooked by the Appeal Authority and the appeal was granted. The decision was subsequently amended and because of Fossey’s other appeals, referred back to the Authority. As well as Fossey five other taxi proprietors had their licences cancelled by the Appeal Authority. They may also apply for licences on September 19. Mr R. A. Young said he no submissions to make on Fos- ■ sey's application, but would object to the other six appli- | cations on behalf of the Taxi-

Drivers’ Federation. Ther* might be worthier applicants who were waiting for the end of the three-year term before applying.

The federation had the I right of appeal under the section in which the applies tions were brought and if licences were granted the federation would go to the appeal authority and quote the facts brought out in the review last year, said Mr Young. Mr J. A. Bretherton said he had two clients who had lost their licences on appeal, but had not so far reapplied. He said they should be given the opportunity to reapply if they wished and asked for an adiournment. The,following transfers of taxicab licences were granted: — Leonard Arthur Reese. 13 Wallace street, from Henry James Gregge: Johann Wilhelm Oster, 35 Cambridge terrace, from Douglas Brownlie Weir: Maxwell John Blade, 9A Chislehurst place, from Brian Mervyn Pankhurst: John Maxwell Gillard, 43 Simeon street, from Grahame Charles Thompson; Frank Bennett, 70 Thames street, from Holland Flint.