§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will take steps to prevent street traders from overcharging visitors to London.
§ Mr. MaclennanMost street traders selling ice cream, soft drinks and snacks at excessive prices are in fact unlicensed. Part of the problem is to ensure that action is taken against such operators. The police and the courts are active in trying to stop unlicensed trading. Clearly, it would help if fines were more substantial and magistrates could assist in this respect. At the same time local authorities and others may be able to encourage legitimate traders with reasonable charges, as has been done at Westminster Abbey. I am glad to see that the City of Westminster is now issuing badges to identify licensed traders.
The problem of overcharging does of course run deeper. The London Tourist Board warns tourists in its leaflets, and I have written to ask whether it can take further steps to bring the risk more to tourists' attention. We are also in touch with local authorities to assess the scale of the problem outside London and to see whether other action might protect tourists and others without imposing an unreasonable burden upon ordinary traders.