HC Deb 24 April 1940 vol 360 c218
85. Captain Anstruther-Gray

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered representations from commercial travellers that a system of licensing should be introduced with a view to safeguarding their profession and preventing enemy persons from masquerading as commercial travellers; and whether he intends to take any action in the matter?

Mr. Peake

The proposal made in a communication from the National Union of Commercial Travellers is that any person acting as a commercial traveller shall be required to take out a licence on which an annual duty shall be payable; but it does not appear to my right hon. Friend that legislation under which any person who pays the prescribed duty shall be entitled to a licence would have any practical effect for either of the purposes mentioned in the Question.