HC Deb 14 May 1959 vol 605 cc1416-7
33. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

the President of the Board of Trade to what extent his new Departmental Committee on Consumer Protection will consider how far further safeguards are required against misleading or undesirable advertising; and if he will instruct his committee to consider representations on this subject from the Advertising Inquiry Committee.

37. Mr. Skeffingtoa

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will instruct the Committee on Consumer Protection. to be set up by his Department, to hear evidence with regard to advertising from business interests concerned, and from members of the general public and organisations concerned with consumer protection, including the Advertising Inquiry Committee.

40. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee to be set up by his Department to deal with consumer protection will consider the question of advertising.

Mr. J. Rodgers

Some aspects of advertising will certainly be relevant to the Committee's work, and I have no doubt that it will consider representations from all responsible bodies concerned with its field of inquiry.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give a more specific answer? Will he be prepared to accept representations from the body mentioned in two of these Questions?

Mr. Rodgers

The Committee is an independent body and it is really up to the Committee to decide from which bodies it will receive evidence.

Mr. Willey

The Parliamentary Secretary will remember that a short while ago the President of the Board of Trade said that he was halfway towards a decision regarding this Committee. Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the President of the Board of Trade will reach the end of the road before we reassemble?

Mr. Rodgers

I hope that we will shortly be able to make an announcement on this subject.