HC Deb 24 March 1955 vol 538 cc2250-1
19. Lieut..-Colonel Lipton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will exempt caravans from the recent restrictions on hire purchase.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I cannot yet add anything to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Turner) on 10th March.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that about 90 per cent. of the caravans which are bought are bought by couples who either cannot afford to buy a house or are not eligible for a council house, and that to make them pay the whole cost in a couple of years places a very onerous burden on a deserving section of the community?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not want to make a statement in advance of the examination I am to undertake.

Mr. H. Nicholls

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind, when considering this matter, that a period of two years for payment by hire purchase for this property, which acts as a house, does not seem sufficient, and that a strong case could be made for extending the period to four years?