asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that shoddy and useless furniture is being sold throughout the country on the hire-purchase system, and that workers, unable to pay cash, are forced to buy this kind of furniture on the hire-purchase system; and, if so, whether he will arrange to have the matter investigated, and also to have the manufacturers' selling price stamped on this furniture so that the purchaser will know its actual value; and, further, whether he will prescribe, for the protection of the public, a percentage margin of profit for the wholesalers and retailers of such furniture.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hire-Purchase System.
As regards the first part of the question, I have not previously received any complaints of this kind. Under the Hire Purchase Act of 1946 it is provided that before any hire-purchase agreement is entered into the owner of the goods shall state in writing to the prospective hirer the price at which the goods may be purchased by him for cash.
The prices charged for furniture and the profits taken by traders have been under investigation for some time past, and I will keep in mind the suggestion made by the Deputy in the last part of his question when the matter is being considered at the conclusion of the investigation.
Will the Minister further consider the first part of the question—that the question of the quality of the goods being sold on the hire-purchase system should also be investigated?
In so far as we have any power to do so, that matter will be taken into account.