Yesterday I contributed to a debate tabled by Ilford North MP, Wes Streeting, about the taxi trade. Unfortunately I was unable to stay for the whole debate as I had a meeting with the Speaker, however I made the intervention below about safety and regulatory problems related to rickshaws. I have also been in touch with a number of taxi drivers who live in the constituency and am making representations on their behalf to the government about the tax treatment of companies like Uber and about regulatory parity between those operating in the taxi trade. Any concerned drivers may also want to raise their views with our London Assembly Member, Keith Prince AM, who is our man in City Hall and can press the Mayor on licensing and transport issues in London.

Julia Dockerill Conservative, Hornchurch and Upminster
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Wes Streeting Labour, Ilford North
I certainly will. I welcome the hon. Lady to her place.

Julia Dockerill Conservative, Hornchurch and Upminster
I thank the hon. Gentleman. He mentions looking again at taxi legislation. Does he agree that pedicabs, which are something of a problem in central London—they have created a lot of concern about passenger safety and congestion, particularly in the west end—should come within that legislation?

Wes Streeting Labour, Ilford North
I wholeheartedly agree. Rickshaws are not just a nuisance on the streets of central London that add to congestion, but given some of the exorbitant prices that their riders propose to charge, they increasingly also rip off tourists. I saw a rickshaw outside Parliament the other day whose rider was proposing to charge £10 for a cycle up the road from Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. That is terrible value for money and reflects badly on our city. If tourists want an expert guide to take them around London, they should hail a black taxi.