§ 70. Mr. Hylton-Fosterasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received with regard to practices adopted to evade the objects of the Hire-Purchase and Credit-Sale Agreements (Control) Order, 1952; and if he will take all requisite steps to put an end to such practices.
§ Mr. H. StraussIt has been alleged that some traders are infringing the Order by offering agreements which purport to be agreements for hiring, but which are in fact hire-purchase agreements in which the option to puchase the goods is not in writing. Such cases are being investigated. My right hon. Friend has also received representations to the effect that there has been an increase in credit sale agreements for a period of less than nine months and other methods of giving credit have been brought to our notice. The Order does not apply to some of these agreements, and he is considering whether it is desirable to extend control over credit trading in the goods concerned.