§ 55. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, consequent upon the conviction of certain traders for breaches of the hire-purchase regulations, there is doubt as to the ownership of the goods disposed of to their customers; and if he will introduce legislation to vest the property in such goods in the customers.
§ Mr. H. StraussI am aware that, in certain circumstances, doubt may arise as to the ownership of the goods disposed of under a hire-purchase agreement which does not comply with the provisions of the Hire-Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order, 1952. I do not consider that legislation to define the civil rights of the parties under such an agreement is either desirable or practicable.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Minister prepared to advise us on the steps which he proposes to take to safeguard the rights of the customer in these cases?
§ Mr. StraussNo, Sir. The terms of the agreement between the parties may vary considerably in different cases. It would be wholly inappropriate to make a general statement without investigation of the facts.
§ Mr. RankinWill the Minister not enter into consultation with the Attorney-General in order that some advice may be given on these cases which, as he knows, are very numerous indeed?
§ Mr. StraussI do not think it is the business of Her Majesty's Government or the Attorney-General to give advice to all the people who may be concerned in a great variety of transactions. In some of the cases mentioned the conduct of the purchaser may have been by no means without serious fault.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.