§ 82. Mr. THURTLEasked Mr. Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the inequitable terms from the standpoint of the hirer, of the hire-purchase agreements now commonly in use; and whether, in view of the widespread adoption of the hire-purchase system by people not familiar with legal agreements and lacking resources to defend themselves against sharp practices, he will consider the possibility of taking steps to restrain, by law, the oppressive character of agreements under this system?
§ The SOLICITOR - GENERAL (Sir Terence O'Connor)My hon. and learned Friend's attention has been called to the question of hire-purchase agreements. Alterations to the county court rules are being made with a view to preventing the hardships which may arise from a defendant being sued elsewhere than in his own district. With regard to the terms inserted in these agreements, I have no evidence that those in general use are such as would justify interference by the legislature.
§ Mr. MACLEANIn any legislation that is being considered in relation to this question of hire purchase, will the hon. and learned Gentleman see to it that no room is left for evasion by the use of the term "deferred payments system" instead of "hire purchase system" as is being done in Scotland?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERALI am satisfied, as I said, that at present there is no evidence which would justify interference. As regards the matter of procedure, that is in hand now.