Trade and Industry written question – answered at on 30 January 2007.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
(1) what assessment he has made of the role of street markets in ensuring competition in the food industry;
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on local street markets of the market position of large supermarkets;
(3) what steps his Department is taking to support and develop the role of local street markets; and if he will make a statement;
(4) how many certificates were issued by police authorities to pedlars in each of the last 10 years;
(5) how many street trading licences were issued by local authorities in each of the last 10 years;
(6) how many complaints local authorities received about the activities of illegal street traders in each of the last 10 years.
Competition in the grocery sector is a matter for the independent competition authorities and not the DTI.
I understand that the Competition Commission's current investigation into the groceries market in the United Kingdom is looking at local competition issues, including the degree of competition between multiple retailers and local grocery retail businesses, as part of its overall inquiry. The Competition Commission is required to publish its final report by May 2008 although it plans to publish before this date. The CC would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing. To submit evidence, please email: groceries@cc.gsi.gov.uk or write to: The Inquiry Secretary (Groceries Market Investigation), Competition Commission, Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AD.
The Department currently has responsibility for policy on the street trading provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 which provides local authorities with powers to regulate street trading. However, it is for local authorities to consider how best to support and develop local street markets in the interests and to the benefit of their local communities.
Statistics on how many pedlars certificates were issued by Chief Officers of Police under the Pedlars Act 1871 are not collected centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
Statistics on the number of street trading licenses issued by local authorities that have adopted the street trading provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, and statistics on the number of complaints local authorities receive which might be attributable to the activities of illegal street traders are not collected centrally. Assuming this information is collected by local authorities, it could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
Yes0 people think so
No3 people think not
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Annotations
Martin Lee
Posted on 31 Jan 2007 2:18 pm (Report this annotation)
The Minister failed to answer the most important question (Number 3).
I know that there is a bit of a policy vacuum at present, but does the minister really have to wait until we have a new Prime Minister before tackling such a difficult question?