HC Deb 08 December 1959 vol 615 cc211-3
22. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the difficulties relating to the prevention of hire-purchase frauds in Scotland; and what steps he intends to take in the matter.

Mr. Maclay

I am not clear as to the difficulties which the hon. Member has in mind. If he has evidence of fraud in connection with hire-purchase agreements, I would suggest if I may that he should inform the criminal authorities.

Mr. Macpherson

May I ask the right hon. Gentlemen to repeat his last phrase?

Mr. Maclay

I said: "If there is evidence of a fraud in connection with hire-purchase agreements I would suggest that he should inform the criminal authorities"

Mr. Macpherson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the amount of this kind of fraud that is a matter for public concern-? Does he realise that lawyers who are continually in touch with the criminal authorities over these matters are concerned about the very large number. of such frauds? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that these offences arise to some extent out of the ease of the procedure? Does he realise that the procedure of hire-purchase probably lends itself easily to fraud? Will he consult the legal profession and see what evidence solicitors have on this matter?

Mr. Maclay

I understand that this is a very complicated matter and that probably in some of the cases which the hon. Member has in mind fraud as such is not necessarily involved, but I will consider the matter carefully and discuss it with my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate.

Mr. T. Fraser

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great many of these hire-purchase companies require the documents which are signed by the purchaser of the goods to be counter-signed by a guarantor, who is frequently led to believe by the salesman that he is only witnessing a signature? Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that the guarantor is frequently found to be the person from whom ultimately the hire-purchase company finds the money that was owing by the person who entered the contract in the first place? Is he further aware that by reason of a judgment given in Edinburgh last week it might be difficult for my hon. Friend the Member for Stirling and Falkirk Burghs (Mr. Malcolm MacPherson) to take his advice and talk very loudly about possible infringements of the criminal law?

Mr. Maclay

I will look very carefully at the point which the hon. Member has just made.