8. Mr. Driberģasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the judgment given at Ilford County Court on 7th February under which £4 damages were awarded against a laundry for the loss of a bedspread, the laundry having offered compensation of 5s. 10d.; and if he will take steps to make an Order revising generally the customary limitation of liability to 20 times the charge for washing.
§ Mr. DaltonMy attention has been drawn to this judgment. Since the Court allowed full compensation in this case, I see no reason for adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion.
Mr. DriberģDoes not this judgment suggest that the present trade practice is obsolete, and will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole matter, in justice to the public?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. I see no need whatever for that. The judgment will simplify the position. The judgment is that this customary limitation is not legal and there does not need to be any Order.
Mr. DriberģDoes the right hon. Gentleman suggest that every customer of a laundry who suffers loss in this way must take proceedings before obtaining adequate compensation?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, but the customer will be able to draw the attention of the laundry to the judgment, just as easily as he might draw the attention of the laundry to any Order that I might make.