Taxi Driver Online

Click here for info on the joint consultation by the DTI, DfT and Scottish Executive.

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/oftconsult.htm

Any views/questions, please post below!!

Will I be submitting?

What do you think?

I think everyone should as it is bound to have an impact on us somehow.
If you follow the link below you will see that they are now changing tact and blaming their government for regulating in the first place, claiming it breached the competition laws, kinda makes you smile!!!!!

http://www.scottaxifed.org/200309/page6.htm

In other words, wait 25years ( quarter of a Century) and then say that they acted illegally, why has it taken so long?
Is this not what this report is really all about?

Bizzare!

I see the STF has also changed tack slightly.

Before they were saying:

"Although the report to be completed by the summer of 2003 will not immediately affect the taxi industry in Scotland (taxi licensing is devolved to the Scottish Parliament) it is still a matter of great concern that removal of control of numbers in England and Wales will ultimately lead to a similar situation north of the border in Scotland."

Now they're saying:

"Unlike Westminster Departments, the Scottish Executive is not statutorily obliged to respond to the report. However, Scottish Ministers have agreed to respond."

I'm still not sure that they are correct.

In 2001 the Govt published a white paper, A World Class Competition Regime, in which they committed themselves to respond to OFT recommendations within 90 days. I don'tl think there is any statutory obligation to do so, as claimed by the STF.

Following devolution I think the Scottish and Northern Irish administrations agreed to do likewise.

So I think the position of Scotland, England and Wales and NI are the same - competiton issues are not devolved, and the OFT is the 'competition watchdog' for the whole UK. The OFT reviews markets and recommends changes, and the three administrations have agreed to respond withing 90 days, but ultimately it's up to them whether or not to implement the OFT's recommendations.

The 120 days response time for the taxi report is merely due to the NI elections, according to the OFT's press release.

It's interesting that the STF haven't actually posted any response to the OFT's report on their website, but they have posted Mr Muldoon's victory allowing him 'free parking' on Edinburgh taxi ranks.

'nuff said!

Dusty

Dusty said

"So I think the position of Scotland, England and Wales and NI are the same - competiton issues are not devolved, and the OFT is the 'competition watchdog' for the whole UK. The OFT reviews markets and recommends changes, and the three administrations have agreed to respond withing 90 days, but ultimately it's up to them whether or not to implement the OFT's recommendations."

I agree completely dusty, thats the way I read it to.

I will bet anyone anything, that whatever happens one side of the wall, will be repeated the other side.

If some are treating customers as mugs here, then in my humble opinion, they are being treated as mugs throughout the UK.

I sent my views in.

Keep the restrictions, let me keep my premium, put up the fares, many more journeymen just for me, no fees for the station, and only one extra permit for the station i.e. me.

Ive given them 14 days to sort it out, or else.