HC Deb 24 November 1952 vol 508 cc12-4
19. Mr. Rankin

asked the Attorney-General if he will bring to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions the illegal trading practices of the furnishing firm, details of which have been sent him.

20. Mr. Dodds

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the widespread complaints of the illegal trading methods of the furnishing firm, details of which have been sent him by the hon. Member for Dartford; and if, on the grounds of public interest, he will refer this case to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

21. Mr. Reeves

asked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions the case of the furnishing firm, details of which have been sent to him, the trading methods of which are the subject of widespread complaints as being illegal.

22. Mr. W. T. Williams

asked the Attorney-General what action he proposes to take to bring to an end the practice of requiring deposits for furniture and using them to try to obtain the sale of higher-priced furniture, particulars of which are already in his possession.

23. Mr. J. Hudson

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take action against a furnishing firm whose public advertisements are designed to secure deposited payment for the delivery of furniture which the firm is unable to deliver, and knows it is unable to deliver, the firm afterwards declining to refund the payment when disappointed and deceived expectant purchasers apply for the refund: and, in view of these illegal practices, if he will institute a prosecution.

24. Miss Burton

asked the Attorney-General if, in view of the many complaints of the illegal method of trading of the furnishing firm, details of which have been sent to him, he will give consideration to referring this case to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

25. Mr. George Craddock

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the practices of a furnishing firm, details of which have been sent to him, which are causing widespread concern; and what action he will take in regard to these illegal practices.

26. Mr. Shurmer

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take action against a furnishing firm whose trading methods are illegal, details of which have been sent to him.

28. Mr. Mulley

asked the Attorney-General what action he proposes to take in regard to the unlawful practices of the furnishing firm, of which he has particulars.

30. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the widespread complaints of the unlawful trading methods of the furnishing firm with shops in Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Cardiff and Leicester, details of which have been sent to him; and if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to make inquiries.

The Solicitor-General

The Director of Public Prosecutions has been asked to investigate the case to which all these Questions refer.

Mr. Rankin

Having studied the material which was sent to him, is the Solicitor-General now convinced that the form of society under which these abuses occur and recur is neither an efficient nor a moral type of society?

The Solicitor-General

Breaches of the law take place, I believe, in most communities in the world, and are known, I believe, also in Russia.

Mr. Dodds

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the chief personalities are three brothers named Winstone, trading in about 20 towns as Phillips' Furnishing Stores, Wynn's Furnishing Stores and, in Wales, as A Bevan & Co.? Is he also aware that they advertise: bedroom suite, usual price £70 6s. 8d., sale price £28 10s. 0d. when the managing director admits that the furniture cannot be produced for less than £50? Is he aware that hon Members are now receiving streams of letters, and would he see that this practice, of which the regional officers of the Board of Trade have complained, is thoroughly investigated?

The Solicitor-General

The hon. Member may rest assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and that the Director of Public Prosecutions has already been asked to do so. As there is a possibility of further proceedings it would not be right for me to make any comment on the hon. Gentleman's observations.

Mr. Shurmer

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman know that this reply will give satisfaction to many hundreds of people in the city of Birmingham, who have already complained in many letters I have received this week-end that thousands of pounds have been held by this firm and that people have had to take legal action to try to get their money back? His answer will be a great satisfaction to these people.