§ 25. Mr. Whitakerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now announce the conclusion of his review of the control of inertia selling.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyWe are continuing to explore possible remedies for this problem.
§ Mr. WhitakerIs my hon. Friend aware that there are a number of complaints about this irritating practice centred on very few firms, three in particular, which shows that it is not just a matter of errors being made? Is she further aware that New York has an admirable and simple law to stop this undesirable practice and will she give an assurance that she will not be inert about the matter?
§ Mrs. DunwoodyWe are actively considering the New York law to see whether this will answer some of the difficulties which arise in the case of inertia selling. I have asked the hon. Member if he has any suggestions to make to my Department on which we could act.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesWould my hon. Friend not agree that it would be very simple to solve this by saying that if someone sends goods through the post 1714 which the recipient does not need, then he assumes that they are his?
§ Mrs. DunwoodyThis is certainly one method which could be used, and we are examining the legislation that New York State has brought in to see whether it would cover the problem. There are difficulties. If someone got his next door neighbour's groceries by mistake, I do not think the neighbour would be very happy.