HL Deb 20 October 1966 vol 277 cc115-6
BARONESS ELLIOT OF HARWOOD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce during the present session of Parliament a Protection of Consumers (Trade Descriptions) Bill.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD RHODES)

My Lords, my right honourable friend intends, as I informed your Lordships on May 18, to introduce this legislation as soon as Parliamentary time permits. He cannot at present say whether it will be possible to do so in the current Session.

BARONESS ELLIOT OF HARWOOD

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that courteous reply, may I ask that he press his right honourable friend strongly? This is a Bill which we are awaiting; it is a non-controversial Bill, and I hope he will press his right honourable friend to bring it in before the end of this Session.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, would it also be possible to introduce a Bill to protect consumers against the acts of this Government—such as the S.E.T., for instance?

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, might I ask my noble friend, while I realise that he himself wishes to have this Bill as soon as possible, whether he would convey to the Government that those from all sides of the House who are interested in the consumer deplore this continual delay? I should like to add my support to the noble Lady opposite, if she will have it, in asking that we get this legislation this Session.

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, would the noble Lord recognise that failure to introduce this Bill right away in a new Parliament is holding up the whole process of the amending and improvement of the law of fair trading in the interests of both the consumers and the traders?—because behind this Bill come other Bills. I should like to ask for his assurance that the delay is not in any way holding up the passage of the Sale of Goods Bill and other Bills which are likely to follow.

LORD RHODES

My Lords, I appreciate what has been said, and I will convey to my right honourable friend in as strong terms as I can the sentiments that have been expressed.

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