SIR – Last week, while making a regular trip into Bradford city centre, I observed to the driver of the taxi from a well-known firm that I had had only one female driver in the past year or so.

He replied that to his knowledge there used to be three but all had quit recently because of longer hours – up to 12 a day – that had become the norm and which, in his opinion, women were not prepared to work.

On the return journey I asked the driver of the Council-controlled Hackney cab whether he was aware of any female drivers and he replied he was not. In his belief, it was too dangerous, although he agreed fitting CCTV in taxis might help overcome such fears.

I find this intriguing. In a time of supposed equality among the sexes, the vast majority of taxi drivers, whether private or public, are male. I am not bothered whether the taxi driver is male or female as long as they are competent.

This is not a situation peculiar to Bradford. Very few London black cabs are driven by women. As the role of women in front-line fighting is being debated, it seems odd that there appears to be no place for female taxi drivers.

Andrew Guest, Bradford Road, Birkenshaw