HC Deb 08 May 1972 vol 836 cc891-3
17. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to protect consumers from the approaches and techniques of doorstep salesmen.

The Minister for Trade (Mr. Michael Noble)

The Government are considering very sympathetically those recommendations of the Crowther Committee on Consumer Credit which relate to door-to-door selling. The Government have no other plans for legislation in this field; they consider that adverse publicity is one of the most effective means of countering undesirable door-step selling techniques.

Mr. Davidson

Is the Minister aware that, on the contrary, I have plans for dealing with this matter and that I shall be introducing a Ten-Minute Rule Bill on the subject tomorrow, which I am sure he will look at sympathetically? But is the Minister also aware that there are large wealthy organisations which deliberately instruct their salesmen to conceal the fact that they are selling something in order to worm their way into people's homes? Once they are in they indulge in an equally dishonest form of patter again to conceal the fact that they are selling something in order to induce the unwitting housewife to part with a vast sum of money, usually for goods which are pretty useless. Does the right hon. Gentleman not feel that legislation is needed at least to put the housewife on an equal footing?

Mr. Noble

I was aware of the hon. Member's interest and of his intention to introduce a Ten-Minute Rule Bill tomorrow. Perhaps we should wait and see what the Bill contains before I give any indication of the Government's approval or disapproval.

Sir G. Nabarro

Would my right hon. Friend the Minister bear in mind that in recent years there have been increasing encroachments on the liberty of the individual on the doorstep and that he should resist the blandishments of salesmen. from whatever quarter they may come, including Accrington?

Mr. Noble

Yes. In the whole of last year only three complaints of this sort came to my Department. So far this year the rate has increased because already we have had three, but it is not a very great number.

Mr. Alan Williams

Is the Minister aware that it is quite ridiculous more than 12 months after the Crowther Report to say that the Government are only" considering sympathetically "action that Crowther then thought should be taken? Will the Government introduce legislation? If so, when will it be? Will it be this Session or next? If it is next Session, it will be more than two years after the Crowther Report before the Government eventually get their legislation through.

Mr. Noble

Quite a lot of legislation has been going through the House and there will be quite a lot next year. I cannot say therefore when this will be dealt with.

Mrs. Knight

Will my right hon. Friend the Minister bear in mind that not as many housewives are as hen-witted as some hon. Members seem to imagine and that there is a limit to the amount of consumer protection they need?

Mr. Noble

I am certainly aware of what my hon. Friend says. This is reflected in the fact that only three complaints were made to my Department in the whole of last year. This is a serious problem but it is getting very much better.

Mr. Fred Evans

Is it not a matter of wonder that in answer to a previous Question we saw hon. Members opposite regarding the piling-up of huge debts by consumers as a significant mark of their party's success? Would it not be equally logical for the Minister now to give every encouragement to doorstep salesmen in order to carry on the alleged success of his Government?

Mr. Noble

No. Sir.