HC Deb 02 March 1954 vol 524 cc987-9
11. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in recent advertisements, of which he has been informed, the Supreme Supply Company offer super quality real hide gauntlets, fur-lined throughout, of 15 inches length and with 12 inches wide gauntlets; that the gauntlets themselves are of sheepskin, are not fur-lined throughout, are not 15 inches long nor 12 inches wide; that the hide is not of super quality; that the value of the glove in no way approaches the £4 which is claimed in the advertisement; and whether he will initiate a prosecution under the Merchandise Marks Act.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I am having this matter investigated.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that my intelligence service seems to be better than his? Does he know that these advertisements have now been withdrawn? Is he aware that I brought a glove to show him and a copy of the actual advertisement? What would have been done to protect the consumer if I had not brought the matter to his notice?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for having answered the Question so effectively for me.

Mr. Gaitskell

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the facts disclosed in this Question and in Question No. 2 reveal a pretty scandalous state of affairs? May I ask what steps the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take to protect the public and to fulfil the promise he made at the time the Utility scheme was brought to an end?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If the right hon. Gentleman had listened to his hon. Friend, he would have heard that all these advertisements have been withdrawn.

Mr. Burden

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, owing to the Merchandise Marks Act and the fact that a trade description must now conform to certain Regulations, there will be far less opportunity for people to get away with this sort of thing? Is it not up to everyone who notices these things to bring them to the attention of the Board of Trade, and will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that, if trade associations and others bring these matters to his notice, they will receive consideration?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Yes, Sir, certainly. If any trade association, or if any hon. Member, brings to my attention, or to the attention of the Board of Trade, cases where in their view the Merchandise Marks Act has been broken, we shall certainly look into the matter and, if necessary, institute proceedings.

Dr. Summerskill

Is it not the fact that the right hon. Gentleman gave an undertaking to my hon. Friend some weeks ago that if she brought similar facts to his notice he would be prepared to initiate prosecutions? Is he proposing to do so in this case?

Mr. Thorneycroft

All I said in this case was that I am investigating the matter. That is a perfectly proper thing to do before launching a prosecution.

Miss Burton

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

12. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the concern at the extent to which periodicals, as opposed to daily and weekly newspapers, are prepared to accept questionable and inaccurate advertisements; and if he will take steps to amend the Merchandise Marks Acts so as to make it an offence to publish or print advertisements of articles whose sale constitutes an offence under the Acts.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

No, Sir. But in any event it would not be practicable to deal with any such advertisements in the manner suggested.

Miss Burton

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me why the national newspapers have found it practicable to deal with the matter by forming a com petent committee to examine advertisements? Will he also tell the House how he justifies his statement three weeks ago that we can rely on the general good sense of manufacturers to maintain standards?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The suggestion here is that legislation should be introduced making publication of advertisements an offence.

Mr. Nabarro

Is not this Question the first step towards censorship of the Press?

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