HC Deb 03 February 1949 vol 460 c1825
33. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will investigate the position arising from police prosecutions of street traders in the Metropolitan area.

Mr. Ede

In the London County Council area, and in other parts of the Metropolitan Police District, it is an offence for a street trader to trade from a stationary position unless he is licensed to do so by the appropriate local authority. If the hon. and gallant Member has the Lambeth area particularly in mind, I understand that by far the majority of the prosecutions of street traders occurring in that area have been undertaken by the Lambeth Borough Council and not by the police.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the situation now existing at Lambeth Magistrate's Court, where the fines accumulate until they total about £50, a short period of imprisonment is served which wipes out the fine, and then the whole procedure starts all over again?

Mr. Ede

I do not think that has anything to do with the Question on the Order Paper. The magistrate inflicts the appropriate penalty and the result mentioned by the hon. and gallant Gentleman occurs.