§ 14. Mr. Spencerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the effectiveness of the consumer protection provisions in the Estate Agents Act 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardI have received no such representations. The Act provides important safeguards for the consumer, but I shall continue to keep a close watch on the effectiveness of the Act and the Director General of Fair Trading will continue to exercise his powers to ban or warn estate agents where he considers this appropriate.
§ Mr. SpencerIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that there are some estage agents who are still practising after they have been convicted of offences of dishonesty and are subject to a suspended sentence of imprisonment? Will he consider introducing legislation to place a duty on a court to report any such conviction to the Director General of Fair Trading, in order to give greater protection to the public against these tricksters?
§ Mr. HowardYes, Mr. Speaker. I am very grateful to my hon. and learned Friend for drawing this matter to my attention. The Act provides for a court to bring relevant convictions to the attention of the Director General at its discretion, but I shall certainly want to consider whether there is a case for amending the Act so as to place the courts under a statutory duty to inform the Director General of these matters.