HC Deb 12 July 1955 vol 543 c1726
25. Mr. Janner

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation for the purpose of stopping private courts from imposing penalties on traders who are not prepared to submit to restricted prices conditions; and if he will make the penal clauses operative from the date of the introduction of the Bill.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

These matters are within the scope of the debate which has been arranged for tomorrow, and I would ask the hon. Member to await that.

Mr. Janner

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the question in this light: that people are being brought before these courts at the present time and are being ruined in consequence? Something should be done about it now. Why will not he do something at once and say what he is doing?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That question seems very relevant to the discussion which we shall have tomorrow.