Dr Brian Iddon's (Lab, Bolton South East) ten minute rule Bill aims to update the 1871 Pedlars Act to ensure that illegal pedlars do not affect genuine market traders ability to sell their goods. 

Under the nineteenth century Act, pedlars are allowed to travel - on foot - to sell their goods but, Iddon argued, the current situation is that pedlars occupy a fixed position in a town centre and are "now selling goods in our town and city centres from bags, trolleys or stalls, often remaining in fixed positions for long periods". 

Various local authorities - Manchester, Birmingham, Derby, Sheffield - are implementing local legislation to cut down on the nuisance but this, argues Iddon, is leading to "a patchwork of legislation". 

The main thrust of the Bill is to enable local authorities to take action against unlawful pedlars and grant the power of seizure of an unlawful trader's goods. Iddon was at pains to point out "my Bill does not outlaw peddling; rather, it clarifies its definition. Legitimate pedlars will still be able to sell their goods, as defined in the 1871 Act. I recommend 21st-century legislation for 21st-century traders, and advise the House to equip our local authorities with powers to enable them to protect our streets, our consumers and our local markets and small businesses from rogue traders."