HL Deb 12 February 1987 vol 484 cc737-9

3.7 p.m.

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, upon relinquishing the presidency of the European Community on 31st December last, the chairman of the European Council of Consumer Affairs Ministers indicated the progress made for strengthening the Consumer Consultative Committee and for the correction of the imbalance therein between consumer interests and others; and what dates have been arranged for meetings both of the Consumer Affairs Ministers and the Consumer Consultative Committee in 1987.

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate and Consumer Affairs has drawn attention in speeches to the resolution agreed by the consumer council last October. This resolution referred to the need for effective and duly representative consultation of consumers so that consumers' priorities are adequately reflected in the work of the Community. In line with the resolution, the Commission will keep the matter under review and report at the end of 1987. The Government understand that the Belgian Presidency will hold a consumer council on 10th June and that the Consumer Consultative Committee will be deciding future meeting dates next week.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

Obviously, my Lords, the answer to the first part of the Question is no. I believe that the Government are sympathetic to the idea of reforming the Consumer Consultative Committee, but do they accept that the real problem lies in Brussels? Is the Minister aware of the dissatisfaction that is felt among consumer organisations about the ineffectiveness of the committee, as reflected in the report to your Lordships' House of the Select Committee so ably chaired by the noble Baroness, Lady Serota? Arising from that, may I ask the Minister to tell the House whether the Government support Conclusion No. 68 of that report which calls for the strengthening and reform of the Consumer Consultative Committee?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, naturally I am aware of the concern of the noble Baroness and of her efforts on behalf of consumers in Europe. There are a number of subjects under discussion. As she will know, there are proposals on unit pricing, toy safety and imitations of consumer products. All these matters may come before the Council of Ministers, but the agenda is a matter for the Belgian Presidency.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I asked the noble Lord about one specific matter. I wish that he would not ride off on other red herrings. I asked him if he could tell the House whether the Government accept Conclusion No. 68 of the report of the Select Committee of your Lordships' House which was chaired by the noble Baroness, Lady Serota.

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, the Government accept the findings of the Select Committee that the present consultation arrangements are not satisfactory. The new resolution of the Council underlines the necessity for effective and duly representative consultation of consumers. The European consumer council and the Government are not wedded to any particular reforms but want to see emerging a credible package of improvements.

Baroness Serota

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether consideration is being given to publishing the reports of the Consumer Consultative Committee in the future?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, I think that that will be a matter for the committee itself to decide.

Lord Harmar-Nicholls

My Lords, will my noble friend keep in mind the real meaning of "consultation"? The enthusiastic voices of consumers are not silent and their point of view is certainly made known. It is right that it should be. However, consultation ought not automatically to mean that what they recommend must be accepted. There are many other surrounding circumstances that the people who make decisions have to take into consideration.

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, I agree with my noble friend. The Government are not privy to the European Commission's consideration of these matters. However, the consumer council has called on the Commission to produce a report and we hope that it will take note of the consultation that has taken place.

Baroness Nicol

My Lords, we welcome the statement from the noble Lord that the Government support the findings of the Select Committee. However, we should like to know whether there has been a British initiative on any of the recommendations put forward by that committee and on any of the items discussed by it. For example, has there been a British initiative on the introduction of consumer impact audits, which would be a cost-effective and useful innovation? What about direct consultation with consumer groups? There is nothing about that in the original Answer that the noble Lord gave.

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, with regard to impact statements, the Government will press for the resolution to be implemented conscientiously and effectively. At the end of the year the commission is to make a progress report and we shall review that carefully.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, the end of the year is a long time away. May I ask the Minister one other question? What representations have the Government made to the European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs on reform of the Consumer Consultative Committee? Is he aware, following the remarks made by his noble friend Lord Harmar-Nicholls and from my questions that the Commission and the people in Brussels are unlikely to be overburdened by the decisions that they take?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, we constantly press for progress on consumer matters. As I said, my honourable friend has made a number of speeches, including one on 19th November to the European Parliament, to press for progress in this matter.