HC Deb 05 May 1937 vol 323 cc1174-5W
Sir J. Power

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of prosecutions against street traders in the City of London for each of the calendar years 1934, 1935, and 1936; the total of the fines inflicted and/or the total number of days of imprisonment served in lieu thereof; if he is aware that on five days in each week the thoroughfare named Throgmorton Street is obstructed by street traders in public securities and that all traffic is impeded; if he will state the number of prosecutions in respect thereof during the years above-named and the total of fines inflicted for obstruction; what steps he proposes to take to keep Throgmorton Street clear of street trading and free for traffic; and whether any steps in that direction have been taken since 19th March, 1895?

Sir J. Simon

The following table gives the number of prosecutions of street traders for obstruction in the City of London, and in Throgmorton Street in particular, during each of the years 1934, 1935 and 1936 and particulars of the penalties imposed:

Number of prosecutions.
1934. 1935. 1936. Total. Amount of fines imposed. Number of cases in Throgmorton Street.
£ s. d.
Street traders registered under Part VII of the City of London (Various Powers) Act, 1911. 4 4 4 12 4 16 0 Nil.
Street traders not registered under the Act of 1911. 1 3 11* 15 4 13 0 Nil.
Total 5 7 15 27 9 9 0 Nil.
* I case—II days' imprisonment served in default of payment of fine.

As regards the latter part of the question, I am informed that it has been the practice for more than 5o years for stockbrokers to congregate in Throgmorton Street for an hour or so after the closing of the Stock Exchange at 4 p.m. Additional police are posted in the street after that hour to prevent obstruction. The street, the premises in which are confined to business connected with the stock markets, is seldom used by through vehicular traffic, practically the only vehicles using it being those calling at premises situated there. No difficulty has been experienced by the police with regard to the regulation of traffic in the street, and since the business conducted there after the closing of the Stock Exchange is carried on in an orderly manner it is not proposed to interfere with the long-established practice.