asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what charge is made by the police for the issue of a pedlar's certificate; what is the total cost of police time and administration in that connection; and whether he proposes to seek an amendment to the law to enable him to recover the full cost from the person benefiting from the licence.

The fee charged for the issue of a pedlar's certificate is £1·25. In the Metropolitan Police district, the Commissioner estimates the annual cost of administering the Pedlars Act 1871 at £5,000. Corresponding information in respect of other police areas is not at present available centrally. I propose, however, to invite other chief officers of police to provide estimates of the cost of this work and, in the light of this information and chief officers' views, I will consider whether the fee should be increased.