§ 17. Commander Keransasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many counties in England and Wales the Hawkers Act, 1888, operates at the present day; and how many prosecutions have taken place in the last five years to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. WoodhouseThe Act operates throughout England and Wales. For the years 1957 to 1961 inclusive the number of prosecutions was nil, 7, 2, 1 and 2, respectively.
§ Commander KeransWill not my hon. Friend agree that this Act, which is 75 years old—in the days of the horse and cart—is a little archaic to say the least, and that the application of this law hinders certain mobile traders in their business? Will he review the working of the Act in this modern age?
§ Mr. WoodhouseIn view of the extremely small number of cases that I have listed in my original reply, it does not seem as if the Act is working too badly.