§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the practice of certain mail order companies of cashing customers' cheques before ensuring the full availability of goods which have been ordered.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimThe Director General is required to collect evidence about retail practices which may adversely affect the interests of consumers and has power to take action against certain such practices in appropriate circumstances. I suggest, therefore, that my hon. Friend should send the Director General any information about trading practices by mail order companies which he believes adversely affect consumers.