HC Deb 10 June 1952 vol 502 cc8-9
13. Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take in respect to the evasion of the Hire Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order, 1952, following consideration of the details sent to him by the hon. Member for Dartford in respect to rental agreements.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Investigations have been made into certain alleged hire agreements which may be in breach of the Order and the question of instituting proceedings is now under consideration.

Mr. Dodds

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the need for urgency in this matter? Does he appreciate that most of the business is going to less scrupulous traders and that, unless a decision is made quickly, the other traders will have to introduce a similar technique and the whole object of the Order will be lost?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am grateful to the hon. Member for calling my attention to an important matter. As I said, I am considering the question of prosecution at the present time.