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Not really sure what your point it - unless it's about the Higgs bosun and I'm missing something - but here's how the surveys work. Or don't.
In a place like Brighton, say, there would be effectively no PH (other than chauffer, executive, or whatever) but for HC numerical controls and/or a WAV requirement for an HC licence.
So say there were 100 saloon HCs thirty years ago, and no PH. The market grows significantly over the years, so today there's 300 saloon HCs and still no PH.
But if the 100 saloon HCs had been restricted thirty years ago, then the likelihood is that now there'd be something like 200 PH.
So unrestricted you've got 300 HC but zero PH.
Restricted you've got 100 HC and 200 PH.
And the surveys conducted during the 30 years would have found effectively no unmet demand, because the growth in demand has been supplied by another sector - ie PH - so effectively the HC numbers are set in stone.
So HC numbers are only a third of what they would be if the market had been unrestricted, but according to the surveys that's all fine and dandy. And of course it's all fine and dandy for the HC cartel and their monopoly, plate premiums etc.
The surveys only cover one limited aspect of the market, which allows the market as a whole to become grossly distorted.
But all this suits both the HC and PH barons (and keeps their serfs where they want them), not to mention the surveyors and the relevant LAs.
Regulatory capture, innit?
We've had this argument before, and I think we know how it ends, but at least now we tend to agree to disagree
Dusty is Sussex' street speak ego, where he can act like someone not becoming of a JP