HL Deb 25 October 1990 vol 522 cc1519-20

Baroness Burton of Coventry asked Her Majesty's Government:

What items were discussed at the European Community Council of Ministers meeting on consumer affairs on 22nd October 1990, and what progress was made.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Hesketh)

My Lords, the draft product safety directive was the main item of discussion. Some progress was made and the directive was referred to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further consideration. The Council adopted a decision to continue the European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System demonstration project for 1990 and 1991 and to provide the necessary funding. The Commission gave a short presentation of the proposed directive on unfair terms in consumer contracts.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I am glad about the decision that was taken on the European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System. I congratulate the Government on the support they have consistently given to this project right from the beginning. However, I hope the Minister can help the House on the matter of the draft product safety directive. As he is aware, the Council of Ministers has discussed this directive four times. What are the main areas of disagreement? Do we ourselves have any disagreement on the matter? What can the Government do to hasten matters?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, the negotiations have identified the main difficulties as being the scope of the directive, its interaction with other safety directives, the additional burdens imposed on business and the handling of safety emergencies at a Community level. It must be said that although steady progress continues to be made, all of those issues remain to be resolved.

Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes

My Lords, I am delighted that one of the matters on the agenda was that of consumer guarantees. That was in line with the undertaking given by the Government which is now obviously being fulfilled. Will my noble friend confirm that that is the case?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am grateful for the commendation from my noble friend as regards the Government's achievements in this area in Brussels.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, has the Minister studied the excellent report of a House of Lords Select Committee on product safety? If he has done so, is he in agreement with its conclusions? Two of those conclusions were that secondhand goods should be included in the directive and that supply should be broadly defined to include the whole supply chain. Is the Minister in agreement with those recommendations?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, since taking up my new position as the Minister responsible for consumer affairs some 12 weeks ago, I have met with a number of consumer groups which have all drawn that point to my attention. As usual, the scrutiny committee provided the House with a full and detailed report which has been fully taken into account as the negotiations progress. We also need to consider the views expressed when the directive was debated in another place.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I hope I may ask the Minister again—I am sure he forgot these points—what steps the Government propose to take to get some movement on this whole affair. When is the date of the next Council meeting? Which countries support particular disagreements, or must it remain a collective disagreement?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I understand that the Italian presidency is talking about holding the next meeting in December. The noble Baroness will be aware that the United Kingdom is a leader in consumer advocacy. However, there are 11 other partners who must be party to any progress. Much as the United Kingdom likes to take a lead, there is no possibility of encouragement by diktat.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, will those representing consumer affairs include miss Esther Rantzen?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, one of the joys of living in our country is that anyone who chooses to do so may be a representative of consumer affairs.

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