Taxi Driver Online

Campaign to remove section 75. 1. (B).

The DfT has proposed the removal of Section 75. Clause (1.B) of the 1976 Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions act. This particular clause allows unlicensed vehicles to operate under a contract for hire or reward for a period exceeding seven days.

The clause as it stands is an open invitation to circumvent traditional licensing laws, as we know them. The removal of this clause will mean that anyone wishing to undertake any contract for hire or reward will have to be licensed in one way or another. At this moment in time there are no proposals to amend any other clause in s.75.

The reason why a campaign is needed to remove this particular clause is because those wishing to take advantage of the clause are themselves mounting a campaign to retain it.

Taxi Driver Online asks for your help in sending a message to those Members of parliament who have the responsibility of implementing the changes advocated by the DfT.

You can help by writing to your local MP and or licensing department expressing your support for the removal of this particular section.

Two links are provided below to take you directly to the House of Commons MP search engine, the rest is straightforward.

Parliament is recalled on October 9th 2006 and we would like a huge response on or near this date. The trade press will be asked to play their part in highlighting the strength of feeling surrounding this issue and every licensing department will be asked to mention the campaign in there local trade magazines. All being well your input will have the desired effect of removing section 75 Clause (1.b) for good.

Find your mp by postcode or name.

http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/

Alphabetical list of MP's

http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm


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The following is a draft guidance letter, which some may find useful to just copy and paste into the email text box of your local MP. Don't forget to write your name and possibly your postcode at the end of the letter.


Dear Sir,

Being one of your constituents I am writing to solicit your support in removing Clause 75.1.B from the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions act 1976.

In the coming weeks the Secretary of State for Transport will be introducing an amendment clause to the "Road Safety bill 2005". I would like you to support this amendment for the following reasons.

Section 75.1.B could present a loophole in the law that allows persons to carry fare-paying passengers for hire or reward without the need to be licensed. This is precisely why the DfT is acting to remove the anomaly.

In the public interest I fully support the licensing of all drivers and vehicles that work for hire or reward. I also believe they should be accountable to an administrative licensing body.

I hope you agree with my sentiments and support the DfT amendment.


Yours truly