§ 33. Mr. Banfieldasked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions against street traders in the City of London for the calendar years of 1935, 1936, and 1937 and the total of the fines inflicted or the days of imprisonment served in lieu thereof; whether he is aware that on five days in each week Throgmorton Street is obstructed by dealers in public securities and that pedestrian and vehicular traffic is greatly impeded; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this obstruction?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) on 5th May last year, which included the particulars of prosecutions in 1935 and 1936. I will send the hon. Member the corresponding figures for 1937. Otherwise I have nothing to add to the previous reply.
§ Mr. BanfieldIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are complaints made to Members of this House about this obstruction, and is it not fair, in equity, that the streets should be free for everyone to go through, and that prosecutions should not be taken against petty traders when these people are causing obstruction?
§ Sir S. HoareIf the hon. Member will look at the answer to which I have referred him he will find that my predecessor dealt with that point.