§ 65. Sir Harold Webbeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any further statement to make on the Hire Purchase (Control) Order, recently made by his Department.
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. Following representations from traders concerned. I have decided to replace this Order by another of a more comprehensive character, entitled the Hire Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order, 1943, which has been published to-day and will come into force on 22nd March. The effect of the new Order is to prohibit, with certain exceptions, the sale on hire purchase or credit sale agreements, at a price exceeding the retail cash price, of all price-controlled goods, whether new or second-hand. The chief exceptions, in addition to furniture and perambulators, which are covered by previous Orders, are motor-cycles, bicycles, sewing machines, wireless sets and domestic heating, cooking and cleaning appliances. Certain consequential 867 amendments will have to be made to the Orders controlling the retail prices of furniture, perambulators and second-hand goods. These will be made within the next few days and come into force on the same date as the Hire Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order.
§ Mr. LoganHas my right hon. Friend's attention been called to a case of furniture being sold for £10 6s. and put into an auction room and sold for £78, and what does he intend to do in regard to such cases?
§ Mr. DaltonI shall be obliged if my hon. Friend will send me particulars, in which case any action open to the law will be taken.