§ Mr. Hall-Caineasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the increase of sharp practices in connection with hire-purchase sales, under which persons are persuaded by salesmen to put their signatures to hire-purchase agreements that are unfair and leave no loophole in law for escape; and whether he will consider the desirability of setting up an inquiry into the whole question of such hire-purchase sales?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs the hon. Gentleman knows, steps were recently taken by amendment of County Court rules to deal with certain abuses that had arisen in connection with hire-purchase agreements. The question of hardship arising under hire-purchase agreements is one which is under consideration by my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, and in this connection he is considering whether an inquiry into certain aspects of the matter would serve a useful purpose. If my hon. Friend has any evidence, I should be glad to receive it.