HC Deb 13 December 1960 vol 632 cc192-3
18. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to control the publication of misleading advertisements in the T.V. Times and other publications.

Mr. N. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend is not convinced that legislation is the appropriate method for dealing with this matter. I have arranged to discuss it with the T.V. Times as well as with the Newspaper Proprietors and the Periodical Proprietors Associations.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Minister aware that we are glad that he has become acquainted with the T.V. Times since our last exchange at Question Time and that we appreciate that he is to have discussions on this point? Does he appreciate that the newspapers generally do not accept these switch sale advertisements and that it is a scandal that the T.V. Times continues to accept them? If I send the hon. Gentleman the transcript of a B.B.C. broadcast on this matter last Sunday, which shows the absolute dishonesty of the switch sale technique, will he read it?

Mr. Macpherson

If the hon. Member sends me the transcript, I shall certainly read it.