HC Deb 19 November 1973 vol 864 cc919-20
1. Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Director General of Fair Trading for investigation the practice of printing "xp off" on goods for sale.

The Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs (Sir Geoffrey Howe)

The Director General has been given a very wide field for review under the Fair Trading Act 1973. In these circumstances it is right that he should in general be left to evolve his own order of priorities.

Miss Fookes

Will it then be in order to draw the attention of the Director General direct to this particularly pernicious habit, which can only bamboozle the public?

Sir G. Howe

I shall certainly see that the Director General is made aware of what my hon. Friend has said.

Mr. Greville Janner

What is the correct way for an hon. Member to draw urgent matters, such as that referred to in the Question, to the attention of the Director General?

Sir G. Howe

The Director General is free to receive correspondence from, or to have matters drawn to his attention by, members of the public and, a fortiori, hon. Members.