SIR – Revelations about the deplorable state of so many private hire cars must be taken more seriously than they have been in the past.

Goods carrying vehicles on a hire and reward basis needing to be licensed for that purpose under the ‘O’ licence regime are subject to mandatory safety checks every six weeks and before even a licence is granted the owners must show adequate reserves of capital for the first and subsequent vehicles specified on that licence, so that in theory there is enough money for routine maintenance.

Sadly, for various reasons of mainly political expediency, political correctness, etc, the private hire sector has developed a large and growing ‘cowboy’ minority who have no concerns about public safety.

Time for Parliament or local authorities to tighten up rules, not relax them further as has recently been suggested.

D S Boyes, Upper Rodley Lane, Leeds