§ 37. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a new recommended rule governing advertisements of goods offered on hire-purchase terms has been issued to member newspapers by the Joint Advertisement Committee of the Newspaper Proprietors Association and the Newspaper Society; that the new ruling proposes that every advertisement offering goods on hire-purchase terms should state the cash price of the goods and the total price in hire-purchase terms, or alternatively, the number of stated payments required; and if he will amend the Hire-Purchase Act accordingly to give statutory effect to these recommendations.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware of the rule to which the hon. Member refers, but I do not think that this is a suitable matter for legislation.
§ Miss BurtonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that most hire-purchase associations are in agreement with this Question being put down? Might I draw his attention to the leader in the "Drapers' Record" of 11th December, warning people against the credit firms now springing up and the exorbitant rates of interest they are charging? Will he look at that matter again?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI am not saying the rule is not a good one. I think it is. I am saying that it is not suitable for legislation.
§ Miss BurtonHow does the right hon. Gentleman then propose that it should be dealt with if it is not going to be introduced as legislation?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThere are many good practices which can be followed but which are not suitable for legislation.