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We
all know how Parliament likes to baffle we mere
mortals with words and Bills that leave us
scratching our heads in wonderment, just asking the
simple question: What??? Such words came from the mouths of two Baronesses from the House of Lords – Warsi and Morris - whose names adorned an amendment to the Equalities Bill. A section of the Wheelchair Accessibility Rules for Hackney Carriages was taken out of the Disability Discrimination Act and placed into its new home within the Equalities Bill. It mainly applies to private hire vehicles that cannot take a wheelchair, complete with passenger, into the car without the need for the passenger to leave the chair. It means that the private hire section may be hugely affected - if we have read the moved clause correctly. The new clause is headed Private Hire vehicle accessibility regulations and reads as follows: 1. The Secretary of State may make regulations (in this section referred to as private hire vehicle accessibility regulations) for securing that it is possible for persons: (a) To get into and out of private hire vehicles in safety (b) To do so while in wheelchairs (c) To travel private hire vehicles in safety and reasonable comfort (d) To do so while in wheelchairs 2. The regulations may, in particular, require a regulated private hire vehicle to |
The strange change at... THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT |
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 conform with provision as to: (a) The size of a door opening for the use of passengers (b) The floor area of the passenger compartment (c) The amount of headroom in the passenger compartment (d) The fitting of restraining devices designed to ensure the stability of a wheelchair while the private hire vehicle is moving Call Sign asks: So far, it sounds as though Conservative cabinet members, Baronesses Warsi and Baroness Morris of Bolton are trying to turn private hire into taxis. Then comes the crunch section... 3. The regulations may also: |
carried while in a
wheelchair, to comply with provisions as to the
position in which the wheelchair is to be secured.
Call Sign asks: What type of regulated
private hire vehicle driver is allowed to ply for
hire? We thought it was against all known
regulations and could land the driver in court? http://www.publications.parlia-ment.uk/pa/ld200910/ldbills/020/a-mend/am020-aa.htm. |
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Sad death of Allan Evans mother |
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Call Sign was saddened to hear of the
recent passing of Dial-a-Cab Board Member Allan Evan’s
mother, Edith Charlotte Evans, shortly before her 85th
birthday. Edie, as she was known to family and friends, was born and lived all her life in the Paddington area, including forty years residing on the Hallfield Estate where she forged many strong friendships over the years. She was the youngest of seven children, marrying William Evans in 1947 and enjoying 46 happy years together until Bill’s death in 1993. She always took great pleasure in caring for her family, especially grandchildren Dean and Joe, and |
was regarded as a ‘mother’ to the
men and women of all ranks based at Paddington Green Police Station,
where she worked until her retirement. She could always be relied on
to help family and friends whenever asked and her generosity was
legendary. Edie was also an ardent reader of Call Sign, Editor Alan Fisher always reserving a complimentary copy of each issue for Allan to drop off at her home. Always young at heart in mind and spirit, even though her Help the Aged collection box took up a prominent position in her home, Edie will be sorely missed by her family and many friends – the large turnout at her funeral bearing testament to that. DaC Chairman Brian Rice represented the Society. Everyone at Call Sign and Dial-a-Cab extends their condolences to Allan and his family... Alan Green (E52) |
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