end of the year with a view to holding a consultation exercise in 2012 and introducing draft legislation in 2013-14.
Where do we go from there? Well, if you turn to the Law Commis- sion paragraphs at the bottom of page 77, have a look at paragraph 2.73 and the following points come out: Firstly, reduce the bulk, complexity and inconsistency of the regulatory system; central con- cepts like plying for hire have caused considerable problems; there are pointless geographical inconsistencies on such matters as whether a taxicab driver needs a separate private hire licence, and whether the vehicle can be used for leisure purposes by its owner/driver.
Secondly, there is a need to modernise to reflect technological change; private hire for instance is posited on a geographically fixed operator with premises where bookings are made. And finally, the fundamental features of the regulatory system are in need of recon- sideration – the separate systems for taxicabs and private hire vehicles – the identity of the licensing authorities – the number and nature of licences and whether all forms of regulation are still nec- essary.
Now obviously this is one paragraph, instead of 17 pages. But it cer- tainly seems to my simple mind that unlike that which appeared to be suggested by the Select Committee, this doesn’t look like a quick-fix job. This looks like a major and significant change, per- haps in everything that we do.
Modern legislation tends to be a lot more simplistic, easier to under- stand and without too many elbows. So the 1847 and the 1976 Acts could be wiped out in one hit, and a new piece of legislation be brought in to take their place. That piece of legislation, on the face of the suggestions of the Law Commission, could include a one-tier system (taxis only); could include major geographical changes to minimise cross-border problems; hints of deregulation, in order to make it simpler and cheaper and easier to control – which is indeed very much the modern way.
And the Law Commission’s timescale: “We aim to publish propos-
als for reform in June 2012; this will be followed by a three-month consultation period where we invite the public to respond to our pro- posals. We plan to publish a final report with our recommendations and a draft Bill by mid-2014.”
So a certainly similar time frame to that proposed by the Select Committee. And in any event, we’re looking at three years of spec- ulation and uncertainty, which could be dramatically changed by a surprise General Election, which is what happened to the Green Paper in 1993-1997 - remember that? Four years’ work, followed by a General Election, and then nothing for the next 14 years – until now.
I, for one, am not going to be standing up and pointing directions for readers to go. I am clearly aware that the views of the hackney car- riage and private hire trades will not be necessarily an all-embracing view of the future. I am certain that licensing officers and the public will have their own ideas.
In all the consultations I’ve been involved in, the end result of con- sultation is often: “We have consulted; we have different views expressed by the different bodies; and it is therefore unlikely that any particular view is going to be determinative.”
The question this time, I think, is relatively simple, and that is: Do you want a quick fix and carry on the way that we have been going since 1847, or is it indeed time for significant changes? And obvi- ously, what those changes should be.
There will be an availability for all readers to whiz in their thoughts, so that we can publish them in this paper for all to read. Let us just hope that for a change, perhaps common sense will win.
So with this rather provocative bit of reading matter to contemplate, I shall leave you with your brew. Of course the minute we hear of any further news on the reform front, NPHA members will be the first to know.
Until next time, sayonara. THE SELECT COMMITTEE MAIN REPORT IS ON PAGES 74-77
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