§ 26. Mr. OSWALD LEWISasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider whether any steps can be taken to reduce the growing nuisance of canvassing for the sale of articles at private houses?
§ Sir J. GILMOURA pedlar or hawker selling goods from door to door, with certain exceptions, must take out a pedlar's or hawker's licence, as the case may require, and the issue of these 341 licences is in each case dependent on the issuing authority being satisfied as to the good character of the applicant. Any further restrictions on canvassing for the sale of articles at private houses would require legislation and I have no evidence before me which would appear to justify any such action.
§ Mr. LEWISDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that this growing practice is not merely a nuisance in those homes where servants are kept to answer the door, but is a greater hardship in those homes where no servant is kept?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard it as a greater crime to sell things at doors than to buy votes at an election?