§ 25. Mr. Oliverasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large number of complaints about shoddy and unreliable articles sold 571 under hire-purchase or credit-sale agreements which, in a very short time, become almost worthless for their purpose and for which there is no legal redress, as such agreements exclude the provisions of Section 14 of the Sale of Goods Act, 1893 (Implied conditions as to quality or fitness); and whether he will introduce legislation to make void contracting out of the protection afforded to the public by the Sale of Goods Act.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am not aware that complaints are widespread. The hon. and learned Member may have overlooked the protection given in many cases by Section 8 of the Hire Purchase Act, 1938. If there is evidence that further protection is desirable, the Committee on Consumer Protection may wish to consider this at the appropriate time.
§ Mr. OliverCan the President of the Board of Trade say what evidence he requires to show that this is a pretty general complaint? Unfortunately, most of the unlucky people who pay for, or claim, their goods under hire-purchase agreements are not in a position, until they are in difficulties, to understand that the Act of 1893 has no application?
§ Sir D. EcclesI have some sympathy with that point, and I think that this question will be looked at by the new Committee.