Do taxi drivers need to carry a bale of hay in their boot by law?

Urban Myth has it that London Taxis still have to carry a bale of hay in their boot to be legal.

John Thomas of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association says, the law did exist at one time but it is not a requirement any more - it was finally removed from the law books in 1976.

In the 1800's cabbies drove horse-drawn carriages. The London Hackney Carriage Act made it illegal for drivers to feed their horse, unless it was from a bag or corn or hay from their hands. Presumably this was to prevent traffic jams in the street whilst they refuelled. Or, maybe it was to stop the horse nibbling at peoples front gardens?! Drivers must have had to have a handy stack of hay available on board at all times to meet their horses needs!

With the recent petrol pump crisis, it makes you wonder if being a taxi driver was easier back then?