HC Deb 29 June 1992 vol 210 c404W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will initiate a review of the operation of the Fair Trading Act 1973 to consider whether(a) legal recognition may be given to operators of ethical multi-level marketing businesses and (b) these businesses should be labelled as something other than a pyramid selling scheme.

Mr. Leigh

As regards the first half of the hon. Gentleman's question, multi-level marketing schemes which meet the requirements of the pyramid selling regulations may already operate legally, and I see no need for any further provision for legal recognition. As regards the second half, the Fair Trading Act does not label schemes: it outlaws certain practices by promoters and participants of pyramid selling and similar trading schemes, and provides for regulations for others.