Liam Byrne Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) (Digital Economy)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to approve hydrogen cell technology to power taxis in England.

Jesse Norman Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We recognise that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are a potentially important technology, alongside battery electric vehicles, for decarbonising road transport. The Government supports ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) taxis through its Plug in Taxi Grant with support of up to £7,500 for a new purpose built ULEV taxi and through the Plug in Car Grant with up to £4,500 per vehicle. Both grants are technology neutral, and as long as the vehicle meets the eligibility criteria for the grant it is eligible for support.


(Citation: HC Deb, 15 November 2017, cW)
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Derby councillor finally agrees to leave committee after taxi driver controversy.

The councillor at the centre of a row after being found in breach of Derby City Council’s code of conduct four months ago has finally agreed to step down from one of three committees of which he is a member.

Sanctions were imposed by the council’s standards committee on Labour councillor Gulfraz Nawaz in July after he gave a reference to a taxi driver who had previous criminal convictions.

These included recommending to Mr Nawaz’s Labour group leader – Councillor Ranjit Banwait – that he “be removed from any or all council committees or sub-committees” and also the council’s monitoring officer was recommended “to arrange code of conduct training” for him.

Additionally, it was agreed by the committee that a letter be sent to Mr Banwait, “outlining the seriousness of this interference with taxi licensing”.

http://bit.ly/2z6xEP7
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SOUTH WALES

A father-of-two who died on the M4 after being hit by several vehicles fell from a taxi.

Tony Pemberton, 29, from Pyle, Bridgend, died after the incident between Pencoed and Sarn at about 21:00 GMT on Saturday.

South Wales Police said how and why Mr Pemberton "left the vehicle is under investigation".

A file of evidence is being prepared for the coroner but an inquest opening date is yet to be fixed.

After Mr Pemberton's death, the M4 was closed in both directions for more than 10 hours as police investigated.

In a tribute, his family said: "Tony was well loved by all of his family and friends. He was the father to two young girls whom he loved dearly.

"He was always the joker, high on life and there was never a dull moment when you were in his company. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends."

http://bbc.in/2yJscxp 

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 TWO Bournemouth taxi drivers have had their licences revoked over issues including overcharging and rude behaviour.

One of the drivers also held a passenger in their vehicle unlawfully.

The licences were revoked at a meeting of Bournemouth Council's licensing sub committee on Tuesday morning.

It comes after evidence was given to the council following a number of serious incidents.

The board was presented with evidence about one taxi driver which included overcharging, detaining a passenger in the vehicle unlawfully as well as a pattern of rude and aggressive behaviour.

The second case showed evidence of overcharging, retaining and damaging a customer's mobile phone and use of bad language.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of the licensing board, said: “Today’s decision to revoke both licences sends out a clear message that this sort of behaviour is simply not acceptable and we will take appropriate action.

"The safety of passengers using Bournemouth’s taxis is of paramount importance and it is the drivers’ responsibility to ensure, while they are working, that they behave appropriately, treat passengers with courtesy and uphold the standards and honesty expected by the council.

http://bit.ly/2mx8inG 
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DUNDEE

A man who fired a ball-bearing gun at a taxi belonging to his girlfriend’s ex-partner has been jailed.

Darren Anderson, 28, of Lily Walker Centre, Ann Street, ran at the taxi near the home of the driver’s mother in Morgan Street, firing “what sounded like” a total of six shots at the car, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.

When he was arrested, Anderson denied the offences, claiming the complainer Roddy Balfour had invented the incidents as there was bad blood between Balfour and his ex-partner, who now lived with Anderson.

However Anderson’s DNA was found on the BB gun and on a container containing ball bearings compatible with the weapon, which is not a prohibitive firearm.

Anderson admitted that on November 19 2016, in Morgan Street, he possessed a firearm with the intention of having Mr Balfour believe that unlawful violence would be used against him.

He further admitted that, on the same date and at the same place and elsewhere, knowing he had been given a prison sentence on June 2 2015, before the expiration of five years from the date of his release, he possessed a pistol.

He was jailed for 14 months

http://bit.ly/2ikDCBu