§ 36. Mr. J. Harrisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what results have been achieved to date by the restrictions 417 he imposed on credit trading facilities and hire purchase last February; and if he will give figures to illustrate the position.
§ Mr. KaberryThe amount of credit extended to consumers has been restrained. I regret the figures are not available.
§ Mr. HarrisonCan the Parliamentary Secretary give us one example of how these restrictions have affected the general question of the balance of payments which they were designed to assist?
§ Mr. KaberryIt will help the hon. Member if I tell him that discussions are now taking place about collecting statistics with regard to hire purchase. It is hoped to start collection and publication shortly.
Mr. H. WilsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the first statistics he will need will be the figures of unemployment in the furniture industry, where these restrictions have already had a very serious effect indeed? Is he aware that we export very little furniture? Will he now tell the House what use is served by the hire-purchase restrictions as they apply to furniture?
§ Mr. KaberryThe question about furniture raises a separate issue, but the statistics which it is hoped to collect and publish will show the position in its true light.