HC Deb 12 November 1973 vol 864 cc2-3W
28. Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he is making on curbing the continuing activities of bogus trade directory firms; and how many prosecutions have taken place.

42. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to curb the activities of bogus trade directory firms.

Sir G. Howe

The Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 contains provisions regulating demands for payment for unordered directory entries, and criminal proceedings are under way which should clarify the effect of those provisions. I know of four prosecutions during the last few weeks, all of which resulted in convictions.