HC Deb 04 June 1959 vol 606 cc338-9
5. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the sixty cases looked into by his Department for possible infringement of the Advertisements (Hire Purchase) Act, 1957, revealed breaches of the law.

Sir D. Eccles

The investigation disclosed a small number of cases of possible breach of the Advertisements (Hire Purchase) Act, 1957. Most of these appear to have been due to ignorance: in the others I am considering what action, if any, is appropriate.

Miss Burton

Is not the President of the Board of Trade able to give the actual number, which is what is asked for in the Question? Further, is he aware that, rightly or wrongly, among the public generally the impression has got around that hire-purchase dealers and advertising agents have only to plead ignorance of the Act or misunderstanding to be sure that the Board of Trade will take no further action? Does the last part of his Answer mean that that is quite incorrect?

Sir D. Eccles

I am sorry that I did not give the hon. Lady the number. It is nine. As regards the second part of her supplementary question, no, it does not mean that. The fact is that, in a number of cases, people are completely ignorant and we have to put them right.

Mr. Jay

Are we to understand that the President of the Board of Trade is saying that in this case ignorance of the law is a defence?

Sir D. Eccles

No, not a defence; but if somebody has done something just through sheer ignorance, and it is a very small thing, it is really better to tell him to behave better in future than to prosecute him.

11. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the confusion existing among the shopping public as to the provisions of the Advertisements (Hire Purchase) Act, 1957, with respect to the information to be included in advertisements as to the total cash price, the deposit payable and the amount and number of instalments; and what action he proposes to take to dispel this confusion.

Sir D. Eccles

The evidence I have does not suggest that the shopping public is confused; a number of traders appear to be uncertain about the meaning of the Act, and we do our best to clear up their doubts, but the final interpretation of the Act must rest with the courts.

Miss Burton

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that, more than anybody, the Parliamentary Secretary is unaware of the provisions of the Act? Does he know that, on 14th May last, the Parliamentary Secretary, replying to me, said that this Act did not require the cash price or the amount of each instalment to be stated? As I have a copy of the Act here and it seems to state the contrary, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Parliamentary Secretary to clear up the confusion and withdraw that statement?

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot accept what the hon. Lady says. The knowledge of the Act displayed by my hon. Friend astonishes me every day—[Interruption.]—because it is very much greater than my own. I will look into what the hon. Lady says.

Mr. Jay

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that he is looking forward to many years of co-operation with the Parliamentary Secretary?

Sir D. Eccles

I have already had eight, and I am looking forward to another eight.

Miss Burton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In justice to the Editor of HANSARD, would it be in order for me to ask, through you, that the Minister should note that the statements are as I gave them, as they appear in column 1414 of the OFFICIAL REPORT, and the Parliamentary Secretary did make a very great mis-statement, accusing me, in turn, of having made it myself?

Mr. Speaker

It is quite in order for the hon. Lady to ask me that question, but I am afraid that it is impossible for me to give her an answer.