HC Deb 16 December 1969 vol 793 cc292-3W
Miss Devlin

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many notices of intended proceedings have been submitted to his Department by each one of the weights and measures authorities, or groups of weights and measures authorities under Section 28 of the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968; and in respect of alleged offences against what sections of the Act such notices have been lodged.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

These details are not readily available.

Miss Devlin

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that enforcement officers have experienced difficulty in enforcing Section 14 of the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, by reason of the inclusion of a requirement to prove a deliberate intent to mislead, or recklessness on the part of the providers of services, accommodation, and facilities; and whether he will seek to amend the Act to delete this requirement.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

No. The Section 14 offence was restricted to false statements made knowingly or recklessly, for good reasons which the House accepted at the time and which remain valid.

Miss Devlin

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department is engaged in discussion of terms which may be defined in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968; and what terms are now under discussion.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

Proposals for the definition of about twenty terms, mainly concerning clothing and textiles, are being examined in the board.

Miss Devlin

asked the President of the Board of Trade what complaints have been received by his Department of failure by local weights and measures authorities properly to discharge their duties under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968; and what inquiries have been set up under Section 26 of the Act as a result of such complaints or on the initiative of his Department.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

I am aware of a few suggestions that authorities have not acted appropriately in particular cases, but none of these has justified an inquiry under the provisions of Section 26.