Your recent correspondents Messrs Saunders and Everett, do not, it appears, know the difference between taxi cabs and private hire vehicles.

In Oxford, the city council will only license purpose-built taxicabs, commonly referred to as London black cabs.

The driver of a licensed taxicab is safely ensconced in his cabin, separated from passengers by a glass partition.

The private hire driver shares his vehicle with his fare-paying passengers, albeit, the driver knows who booked the vehicle, or at least his office does.

Although all taxicabs should be purpose-built vehicles, other districts, including South Oxfordshire, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Council still license saloon cars as Hackney carriages.

These operate in Oxford and the city council has no jurisdiction over them.

No, the real reason for CCTV in taxis and hire cars is that officials will be able to log how long a driver works and how long he spends talking on his radio.

My assumption is strengthened by the fact that chauffeur-driven vehicles are exempt from the proposed regulations.

AE KIRTLAND Grovelands Road Headington Oxford