HC Deb 29 January 1959 vol 598 cc1246-7
36 and 37. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has considered the representations made by the Retail Trading Standards Association against switch-sale advertising of reconditioned machines by Nortic Electrical, Limited, and other firms; and if he will make a statement;

(2) to what extent the inquiry being conducted by his Department into the coupon advertising of second-hand reconditioned machines at low prices by Nortic Electrical, Limited, and other firms, has taken into account the report of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, which indicated that the efforts of the salesman calling on the inquirer were directed towards selling new machines at high prices, and also the complaints of consumers against this and other Arms, details of both of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Wednesbury.

Sir D. Eccles

The inquiries are continuing.

All the information provided by the hon. Member and by the Retail Trading Standards Association is being taken into account.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Minister aware that it is desirable that the objective inquiry being conducted by his Department should not be deflected by the rather peculiar Question asked of him last week by the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Cooper)? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that public concern at this scandal is growing, as was shown by the excellent programme on B.B.C. television service last Monday? Will he ensure that all the information available about these disgusting practices is put before the inquiry which is being conducted?

Sir D. Eccles

I do not think that my hon. Friend asked a peculiar Question, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that all the information I can get will be taken into consideration.