§ 3. Mr. Carter-Jones asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now take steps to prevent the hardships caused by exclusion clauses in guarantees and contracts for the sale of goods.
§ Mr. DarlingExclusion clauses in all types of contracts are now being studied by a working party set up by the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission. My right hon. Friend would prefer to await their report before considering legislation on this complex subject.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesI thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Is he not aware of the large number of cases of real hardship suffered by people who are caught under these exclusion clauses? Would it not be possible to introduce separate legislation for this specific issue, as was proposed in the other place?
§ Mr. DarlingWe have considered this suggestion. Although we are aware of the number of cases that need to be dealt with, we think that the better way of doing it is in the comprehensive way we have suggested. My hon. Friend should bear in mind the good work that the Consumer Council is doing, both in persuading manufacturers to drop exclusion clauses and in persuading customers not to accept them.