§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation extending to England and Wales provisions having similar effect in those applying to Scotland through section 49(3) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardSection 49(3) of this Act simply preserves an existing right applying in Scotland. There is no similar right under general law in England and Wales and the Government have no plans to legislate to create one. It is of course always open to the seller in England and Wales to stipulate for the payment of interest in a contract with the buyer and I understand that, in commercial contracts, this is common practice.