LAWS will be introduced to stamp out intimidation by doorstep "cold callers" - but the Government is expected to stop short of an outright ban.

Consumer Affairs Minister Gerry Sutcliffe surprised MPs yesterday by unveiling Government plans to introduce legislation to stop swindlers targeting vulnerable people.

As a result, a backbench Bill to outlaw cold calling - which was due to be debated by MPs next week - is expected to be withdrawn by its sponsor, Tory MP Andrew Robathan.

However, the Government hinted its Bill would stop short of Mr Robathan's tough proposals, which would jail certain cold callers for up to three months.

The crackdown follows a campaign spearheaded by The Northern Echo and backed by trading standards teams, local authorities and police across the region.

A household survey by the Trading Standards Institute found that almost 96 per cent of people did not want cold callers to knock on their door.

And almost ten per cent of householders reported problems following property repairs or maintenance carried out by cold callers in the previous two years.

During a Commons debate, Mr Sutcliffe told MPs that doorstep selling was "not intrinsically wrong".

A taskforce of ministers from the Home Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would be set up to draft legislation.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "The Government is serious about dealing with this issue. I am committed to ensuring this problem is tackled in the best way we can.

"I hope that the cross- departmental team will work very quickly to come up with a legislative route that can deliver what we think most people want."

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