§ 35. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to amend the hire purchase laws.
§ Sir J. EdenThis would not be appropriate in advance of a detailed study of the Report of the Committee on Consumer Credit, which is expected to be ready very shortly.
§ Mr. DavidsonI appreciate the Minister's reply in that respect, but will he bear in mind that most hire-purchase agreements are completely incomprehensible to me, and to the average man in the street—[Interruption.]—and to lawyers? Will he give an undertaking that he will study the Crowther Report as a matter of urgency?
§ Sir J. EdenI have great sympathy with the hon. Member on that point. I give that undertaking—as soon as the report is received.
§ Mr. BiffenIs it the intention of my hon. Friend that the Government's own observations on the Crowther Report will be published at the same time, or speedily thereafter?
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. The Crowther Report will first need a certain amount of study. Before I can answer my hon. Friend I should like to see the report, which is not yet available.