HC Deb 12 March 1964 vol 691 cc651-2
23. Commander Kerans

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will introduce legislation to prohibit double pricing in shops, under which one price figure is crossed out and a lower one inserted.

Mr. Heath

I am considering the recommendation of the Molony Committee that false or misleading double pricing should be brought within the scope of revised Merchandise Marks legislation.

Commander Kerans

Could not double pricing be brought into the Resale Prices Bill?

Mr. Heath

That Bill would not be an appropriate vehicle to deal with this subject. The Molony Committee examined this matter and made recommendations. We are moving in the order of legislation suggested by the Molony Committee. The next one is the Merchandise Marks Bill, about which the Molony Committee made a specific recommendation.

Mr. Jay

Although the right hon. Gentleman, for some reason, thinks that the Resale Prices Bill is not the proper vehicle to deal with double pricing, would it not be in order in Committee to make an Amendment as suggested?

Mr. Heath

The question of whether an Amendment is in order or not is for the Chair.

Sir G. Nicholson

What does my right hon. Friend think of the ridiculous and rather iniquitous practice of marking 3d. off a package? It seldom means anything except a calculation to deceive.

Mr. Heath

There are various ways of dealing with this. The French Government have dealt with it by permitting double pricing but laying down the basis on which the first price must be established. But I think that we had better await the Merchandise Marks Bill.