WITH regard to the current debate about the deregulation of the numbers of hackney cabs ( which would still remain under council supervision) there are several points that are worthy of consideration.

1The increasing population of the area , due to the year on year settlement of students (approximately 20% re Times survey for university towns)

2The increasing population due to the arrival of new business 's in the area.

3 The increasing demand for taxis due to the higher profile of the area in a social context. Obviously a capped system cannot meet these continuing increase's in demand.

4 The curtailing of social cost's ie thuggery, police time, property damage, hospital cost's, insurance cost's, all of which would be alleviated by a larger taxi fleet moving people more efficiently.

5 The revenue to the council would be increased due to extra license fees.

6 The laws of economics (supply and demand) would lower or maintain taxi tariffs, thus encouraging greater utility and less congestion in Lancaster.

7 The unearned premiums for hackney plates (app £25,000 at present) would be curbed. Remember all these plates were given free by the council at various points in time , the last 5, five years ago. Does the council really wish to be seen preserving the vested interest of the hackney owners at the expense of the travelling public?

8 The public would get the service they require as opposed to the service deemed fit by a cartel of owners.

9 Many more livelihoods would be created.

It is clear that the responsibility of the council should be the welfare and convenience of the travelling public, a situation diametrically opposed to the current restricted numbers of hackney plates. One of the objections offered by a local taxi owner is that of lack of drivers, the solution to which is obvious. Drivers are at present on a commission only basis, generally 40 per cent they are self employed with all the drawbacks and none of the advantages of self employment. They have no job security, no holiday pay, no employers NIC, no sick pay, they work excessive hours(60/70 hr weeks not being uncommon) they work unsocial hours without overtime payment, so is it surprising that drivers are becoming more difficult to find? Therefore the owners of fleets should stop short changing both their drivers and the public and put their drivers on a proper P.A.Y.E. system (as do bus operators) and they would be inundated with applications! Especially in an area of relatively high unemployment. The alternative is to make taxi plates available to drivers, with as little impediment as possible, thus facilitating both livelihoods and public service.

John Beckettvia e-mail