§ 43. Sir PARK GOFFasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will, for the protection of the public, take steps to prevent those responsible from stating that articles have been sold by auction for certain prices when the articles referred to have, to the knowledge of the auctioneer, been bought in by, or on behalf of, the vendors and have not passed into the possession of a new owner?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)Legislation to deal with frauds at auctions has been considered on several occasions, but I am advised that the law as it stands is sufficient to deal with cases where members of the public are defrauded. The difficulty arises not from any deficiency in the law but from the reluctance of persons defrauded to give evidence.
§ Sir P. GOFFWill the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Auctioneers Organisation Association with a view to putting a stop to this abuse, which misleads the public?