§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will seek to amend the law so as to allow members of the public to prosecute nationalised industries for misrepresentation and false pretences where the services offered are altered to the detriment of the public without notification or refund.
§ Mr. John FraserNationalised industries are already subject to the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, which makes it
734Wappointed are not paid; in respect of which of these bodies expenses are paid; what those expenses amounted to in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what were all the other main constituent costs.
§ Mr. John FraserThe following table lists the information. In principle, all members whom my right hon. Friend appoints are entitled to claim reimbursement of expenses necessarily incurred in the course of carrying out the duties of their appointment.
an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement as to the nature of any services provided in the course of a business. In England and Wales members of the public may bring a prosecution under that Act, although enforcement is normally carried out by trading standards officers.
If a nationalised industry is in breach of contract or if it makes a misrepresentation, it may be civilly liable to the other contracting party. Nationalised industry consumer councils will also look into complaints.