§ 30. Mr. Ewingasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what representations he has received concerning criminal deception by supermarket multiples in Scotland.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI have received no such representations.
§ Mr. EwingIs the Solicitor-General for Scotland aware that there is a practice, used in particular by Safeway supermarkets in Scotland, of charging customers £1 for parking their cars and then forcing them to spend that £1 while doing their shopping? One of my constituents has complained to me that, as the cost of his purchases amounted to only 60p, he was turned away from the checkout and told to purchase more goods worth at least 40p in order to make up the parking fee. Is this legal? If not, will the hon. and learned Gentleman give instructions or guidance to procurators fiscal to ask the police to investigate the matter?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThis is the first that I have heard of the matter. From what the hon. Gentleman has said, I do not think that it amounts to criminal deception. However, if he wishes to give me further details I shall certainly look into the matter and consider whether any action should be taken. Thus far, however, it seems to me that there has been no criminal fraud.
§ Mr. SkinnerDo not the Government tend to decide issues about breaches of the peace and the criminal law before they have taken place? Why do the Government not 381 show the same zeal against the supermarket as against miners engaged in peaceful activities, and make sure——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I do not think that that matter is related to the question at all.