§ 20. Mr. G. Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the distress caused to innocent people by the exploitation of house- 13 wives in South Wales by some representatives dealing in the sale on hire-purchase terms of household domestic appliances; whether he will introduce legislation requiring representatives engaged in such sales to be in possession of a Board of Trade licence; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. J. RodgersThe Hire Purchase Acts of 1938 and 1954 are designed to protect those entering into hire-purchase agreements of the type which, I believe, the hon. Member has in mind. I am not aware of any special problem in South Wales. If the hon. Member has in mind practices which are not covered by existing legislation, he will, no doubt, consider submitting evidence to the Committee on Consumer Protection.