REPEAL OF THE PEDDLER'S ACT 1871

EDM number 1461 in 2001-02, proposed by Brian Cotter on 18/06/2002.

That this House recognises that the Pedlars Act 1871 is both unworkable and confusing; notes that it fails to provide adequate protection to consumers purchasing goods from those trading fraudulently under a false pedlar's licence and allows rogue traders to trade with ease at large public events such as local carnivals; further notes that it is impossible for the police to enforce the Act due to lack of manpower and the puzzling nature of the Act; and calls on the Government to consult upon the possibility of reforming the 1871 Act and granting local authorities the power to license and control trading that takes place within its own area.

This motion has been signed by a total of 31 MPs.