HC Deb 04 June 1959 vol 606 cc336-8
3. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to announce the terms of reference drawn up for the committee appointed to consider the whole question of consumer protection.

4. Mr. Owen

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now ready to announce the name of the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Consumer Protection and the terms of reference of the Committee; and whether he will make a statement.

8. Mr. Lipton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet able to state the terms of reference and the names of the members of the Committee to consider the protection of consumers.

Sir D. Eccles

I am glad to announce that Mr. J. T. Molony, Q.C., has accepted my invitation to serve as Chairman of the Committee, the terms of reference of which will be: To review the working of the existing legislation relating to merchandise marks and certification trade marks, and to consider and report what changes if any in the law and what other measures, if any, are desirable for the further protection of the consuming public. The membership of the Committee will be announced as soon as possible.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of how glad we are on this side of the House that after a very long time we have got somewhere? With reference to the last part of his Answer, can he give any indication of when the names of the Committee will be available, since if there is a General Election in the autumn the Committee will hardly have time to start work?

Sir D. Eccles

Within about a fortnight or something like that.

Mr. Lipton

Is not the appointment of this Committee a further example of delaying tactics on the Government's part, especially as adequate information is already available from the two organisations which have been engaged in consumer protection for some time? The Government have been playing about with the problem for years and still do not intend to do anything about it.

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Member is wrong if he imagines that the position of the law is simple. On examination we find that it is very complicated indeed and we need the advice of an expert committee.

Mrs. Hill

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there will be any women on this Committee?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, without any doubt at all.

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on first hearing, these terms of reference appear rather narrow? Can he inform the House whether he has had full consultation with the trade organisations about the terms of reference of this Committee?

Sir D. Eccles

I talked to appropriate Departments and I do not think the terms of reference are very narrow. For instance, they state … what measures, if any, are desirable for the further protection of the consuming public.