HC Deb 05 February 1965 vol 705 cc345-7W
Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has been in touch with the Consumer Council in respect of the practices of the Universal Health Studios Limited; and with what result.

Mr. Darling

The Consumer Council has expressed no views to the Board of Trade on this matter. The Board has passed on to the Council information received from Universal Health Studios Limited about certain changes in its practice.

Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade what conclusions he has reached after considering the copy of the Standard Sales Procedure of the Universal Health Studios Limited sent to him, which is similar to those issued to the manager of each branch of the organisation with the instruction that they must be strictly observed.

Mr. Darling

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the instructions in the sales procedure manual which this company sent him on 15th December, 1964, would encourage its staff to persuade people to sign contracts without full consideration. As I told my hon. Friend in reply to his Written Questions on 23rd December, the Board of Trade has told the company that it dislikes high pressure salesmanship which may not be in the best interests of consumers. The methods recommended in this manual seem to me to fall into this category. The Board of Trade has suggested to the company that it ought to reconsider its instructions with a view to making it clear to prospective members that they could take a contract form away to read and consider properly before committing themselves. The company has told me that it is proposing to introduce provision for a cooling-off period in its contract.

Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet consulted with the Minister of Health on the complaints made in respect to the health hazards in the activities of the Universal Health Studios Limited.

Mr. Darling

Yes. My right hon. Friend has no power to control the activities of health clubs, gymnasia and the like. Complaints about the cleanliness or the structure of the buildings should be addressed to the local authority.

Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken as the result of his discussions with the Attorney-General on the activities of the Universal Health Studios Limited.

Mr. Darling

The Board of Trade has sent details of complaints made by members of the public about this company's methods to the Metropolitan Police. I understand that the police are making inquiries about some of these complaints.

Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek the opinion of the head office of the Citizens' Advice Bureaux on the experience gained by that organisation in respect to the activities of the Universal Health Studios Limited.

Mr. Darling

The National Citizens' Advice Bureaux Council gave the Board of Trade on 9th December, 1964, a full report on the complaints received by local bureaux about the practices of this company. My reply to my hon. Friend on 17th December took full account of this report.