asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the fact that pyramid selling has now been abolished in the UK, he will take similar action in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pyramid Selling.
10.
Considerable progress has been made with the preparation of legislation to regulate pyramid selling, but, unfortunately, pressure of other work in my Department has so far not permitted of its being brought to a conclusion. I hope that a Bill will be introduced as soon as practicable.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this matter has been in contention for so long that it appears his Department are not dealing with it with adequate haste? Could he give an undertaking that it will be dealt with as quickly as possible? It was dealt with in England about a year ago.
I gather that it was somewhat easier in Britain to deal with this problem because of the fact that they have not got a written Constitution. I am advised that some of the powers which the Minister might wish to take under legislation here could cause difficulty because of the fact that we have a written Constitution. The Minister decided that legislation should be prepared and accordingly, with Government approval, a draft Bill was obtained from the Parliamentary Draftsman in September, 1974. On examination in the Department, however, it appeared that the Bill as drafted would apply to quite legitimate trading relationships which have nothing to do with pyramid selling. The basic characteristic of pyramid selling is that one recruits other people to sell something to somebody else. This situation could occur in quite legitimate trading relationships as well as in the type of pyramid selling which would be objectionable. The Department are concerned to ensure that whatever legislation is introduced does not interfere with legitimate trading relationships while dealing with the specific causes for complaint which have been referred to over a time.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary must agree that even though they have not a written Constitution the rules of law must apply in the United Kingdom, as they call themselves, just as they must apply here.
I would rather not get into a discussion on British legislation.
Will the Minister or the new Parliamentary Secretary be introducing this legislation?
That is a separate question.
He has been referring to it in his reply and, arising out of that reply, could I ask a supplementary?
This bears no relationship to Question No. 10 on the Order Paper.
The Deputy will be glad to learn that I will be involved in the preparation of the legislation.