NABMA continues to press strongly for the introduction of national legislation to deal with this important issue and we are indebted to the continuing efforts of
Dr. Brian Iddon, M.P. for Bolton South East, who has now submitted a Presentation Bill which is scheduled for second reading on the 1st February.

Brian Iddon’s Presentation Bill follows a debate in the House of Lords on the 29th November when the Manchester and Bournemouth Bills were presented for a third reading.

On that occasion there was a lively debate about the whole issue of unlawful street trading and particularly the work done by a number of organisations, led by NABMA, to tackle the problem on a national basis.

NABMA is indebted to a number of Members of the House of Lords who supported the argument for the introduction of national legislation.

Lord Harrison, Chairman of the Opposed Bill Committee, produced a special report concerning the Bournemouth and Manchester Bills which paved the way for the debate in the House of Lords.

Lord Bach, responding on behalf of the Government, acknowledged that a number of interested parties strongly believe that there should be national street trading legislation and he said the Government understands the concern about the proliferation of Private Bills to regulate street trading and the legislation of pedlars is certainly very old. He went on to say that the Government accepts that some local authorities may face particular difficulties with street trading and that some of those difficulties may be caused by licensed pedlars. However, disappointingly for NABMA, Lord Bach went on to say that the Government does not believe that the case for national legislation across local authorities in England and Wales has been made out. In the Government’s view, this is essentially a local matter for particular local authorities to tackle as and when necessary.

Local authorities are best placed to understand and respond to many issues that affect the well being of their communities and the quality of life of their citizens.

Lord Bach went on to say that the Government acknowledges that there have been some complaints about this position from some local authorities but the vast majority of local authorities have not complained.

A comprehensive review of street trading legislation was suggested but Lord Bach indicated that such a review would involved far more than just abolishing the Pedlars Act. To do a proper job the Government would need to establish the views of all local authorities, consult other interested Government Departments (principally the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Home Office) and commission research into the views of business, street traders, the Police and pedlars. Expenditure on research could be considerable, because street trading stakeholders are a diverse community and unlikely to be easy to engage in discussion.

However Lord Bach was keen to end on a note that gave some encouragement to those who proposed national legislation. He assured the House of Lords that the report of this important debate would be shown to the relevant Minister and also communicated to other departments that are interested in this matter. Lord Bach also said he would guarantee to talk to the Minister about the attitude the Government should take to Dr. Brian Iddon’s Bill when it becomes before another place.

Brian Iddon’s Bill will continue to focus attention on this pressing issue and NABMA looks forward to supporting Dr. Iddon in the coming months.