HL Deb 06 March 1985 vol 460 cc1305-7
Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the development of the European Community's consumer protection policy over the last few years as revealed in the statement made by the Commission on 18th December last.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)

My Lords, the statement to which the noble Baroness refers was made by Herr Narjes, the outgoing commissioner with responsibility for consumer affairs. It listed achievements during the life of the consumer action programme and indicated his thinking on the future development of consumer policy. Perhaps more important was the statement made more recently by his successor, Commissioner Clinton Davis. This statement suggested a realisation within the Commission that it should concentrate on matters which would bring real benefits to consumers through, for example, the opening up of the Community market to free competition while ensuring that consumers are not at risk, rather than seeking to harmonise the national legislation of member states simply for the sake of doing so. This new realism is welcomed by the Government.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, is the Minister aware that he has today answered my Question set down for next week? Is he further aware that I wished to give him that same information next week? But, reverting to the Question on today's Order Paper does the Minister realise that the last meeting of the consumer Ministers was held last June and that I am asking him, nine months on from that, about a statement which was made on December 18th and which he himself admitted in this House? Could he now give to me and to the House a more detailed answer to the Question which is down for today?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, the Question which is down for today surely concerns the statement on the development of the Community's consumer protection policy, which I believe I have answered.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, the Question down for today, if the Minister will look at the Order Paper, refers to the statement made on 18th December last. Does the Minister not feel that this House is entitled to an answer to that? Would it be possible, if the Minister is unable to give that answer now, to put it in Hansard so that those of us who are interested in consumer affairs might know what is going on, if anything at all is happening?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I have answered the Question on the Order Paper; that is, concerning the statement made by the Commission on 18th December. I said that the statement to which the noble Baroness refers was made by Herr Narjes, the outgoing commissioner. I answered the Question quite fully in my original Answer.

Lord Sainsbury

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether he can give us any information about two draft directives of great concern to the consumer, one on product liability and the other on doorstep selling, which have been in the pipeline for years?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I can and I will do that. The progress on the product liability directive has been slow. Discussions at the last two internal market councils have helped to clarify-the positions adopted by member states and to explore a number of possible options. There is still some disagreement on the fundamental question of financial limits. I would expect further progress to be made during the course of the year. On doorstep selling, that depends primarily on the one remaining reserve being lifted. The Government would like to see this measure go through without further delay.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I am sorry to rise for a third time. Is the Minister not aware that he has not answered the Question on the Order Paper? May we have some elucidation of the statement made by the Commission on December 18th? If he cannot give that elucidation now, will he please put it in Hansard for us?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, if the noble Baroness would like to put down a clearer Question, I shall be pleased to give a further and more expansive answer. I believe that I have answered exactly the Question that is down on the Order Paper.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord would be good enough to tell the House how the Government reach a judgment on these directives as to what is best for the consumer in this country. For example, do the Government consult the county councils, who have officials who deal with these matters and whose members are also concerned with the interests of consumers throughout Britain? Can he tell the House precisely how the Government come to a conclusion on whether the directives are good or bad for the consumer?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I cannot tell the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition precisely how that is done because there is nothing precise in this area. When consumer affairs directives, or draft directives, are laid by the Commission, the widest possible range of consultations takes place, particularly with the consumer associations and consumer interests. Of course, they represent the local authorities in certain specific fields. Those views are taken into account and laid alongside our own existing legislation on consumer affairs, which tends to be rather more positive than is the case in some of the member states in Europe.

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