§ Baroness Burton of Coventry asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they will state those items discussed at the meeting of the European Consumer Affairs Council held on 1st June, indicating both the decisions reached and progress made thereon, with particular reference to product safety, consumer credit and future priorities for relaunching consumer protection policy.
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, the council on 1st June reached agreement on a number of issues, including amendment to the Consumer Credit Directive of December 1986 and continued support into 1990 for the European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System—EHLASS.
The Commission presented a proposal for a general product safety directive which was discussed for the first time by EC Ministers. The Council also noted a report by the Commission on consumer education.
The UK was unable to support adoption of a draft resolution for the relaunch of consumer policy because of its proposals relating to product quality, which would constrain consumer choice without benefit in terms of additional protection.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, I am pleased to note that progress is being made. May I return to the last part of my Question, which deals with future priorities for relaunching consumer protection policy? We have had many exchanges in the House on this, going back some three years. Does the Minister recall that on 16th June last year at col. 370 the Government expressed disappointment at the inconclusive proposals put forward by the Commission and hoped that it would lead to a more constructive way forward ready for June 1989? It is now June 1989 and we are almost into July. Can the Minister tell the House whether we have succeeded in getting consumer affairs more closely involved with other policies in the EC, and whether the Commission has brought forward its report due in June 1989? Finally, believing that the Government wish to help on this matter, could they tell the House what they have been able to do about that?
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, I am aware that there has been much disappointment on all sides concerning consumer policy. However, Her Majesty's Government fully support the policy adopted in the October 1986 council resolution that consumer interests should be taken more fully into account in proposals for Community legislation. The Commission has not reported formally to the council 836 towards implementation of the 1986 resolution since it did so on 7th June 1988. We are sad that progress has not been as fast as we had hoped but we shall continue to press for implementation. Furthermore, we shall give serious consideration to proposals which would stimulate increased effort in that area.
§ Lord Brougham and VauxMy Lords, I welcome my noble friend's encouraging words on EHLASS. Can he tell the House what is the Government's view on the future of that excellent system?
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, I know that my noble friend has a keen interest in safety. I am able to tell the House that the Government believe that a permanent form of EHLASS should be continued after the demonstration project and that planning for that permanent system should commence without delay.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, repeating the compliment that I believe that the Government wish to help, is there anything they can do to hasten some action by the Commission in publishing this report; have they any idea when that might be done, and could they tell us when the next meeting of consumer Ministers may be held?
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, as the noble Baroness is aware, there has been a change in commissioners and we know that the new commissioner, Commissioner van Miert, is very keen and attaches great importance to consumer policy. The next meeting of consumer Ministers will be in November, but at this stage we do not have a fixed date or agenda.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, I did not hear the Minister say whether he has the slightest idea when the Commission will make its report; and can he do anything to hasten that if it is in the far distance?
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, we continue to encourage the Commission to produce its report as soon as possible. We are very keen that the report should be published.