HC Deb 06 December 1960 vol 631 cc1058-9
39. Mr. Darling

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to give him wider powers to prevent misrepresentation and false advertising of the qualities, constituents, and performance of consumer goods, on the lines of Clause 25 of the Weights and Measures Bill, which is designed to give him power to prevent misrepresentation of measure and weight of goods.

Mr. N. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend will consider this matter in the light of any advice that he may receive from the Committee on Consumer Protection, when it presents its final report.

Mr. Darling

In view of the fact that the Government waited nine years to carry out the recommendations of the Hodgson Committee which covered only one side of this business, are we to take it that when the Molony Committee reports, its recommendations will not be put into effect for an equal period of time? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that most of this quality protection can be covered by simple Amendments to the Merchandise Marks Act without waiting for any advice?

Mr. Macpherson

Since there is a Committee, I think that it would be well to wait for its advice, and that it is not worth while to assume too rashly that it will take a very long time before that advice is implemented.