HC Deb 17 December 1975 vol 902 cc678-9W
Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what recent discussions he has had with insurance broking organisations about self-regulation and control of sales forces;

(2) what representations he has recently received from insurance broking organisations regarding self-regulation of brokers;

(3) when he expects to make a statement on the progress being made by insurance broking organisations on self-regulation and control of salesmen.

Mr. Clinton Davis

In May my right hon. Friend asked for four principal insurance brokers' organisations to consider collectively what criteria might be applied in any regulation of insurance brokers and to submit specific proposals. They set up a joint working party with Mr. Francis Perkins as chairman, and we received the report last week. This contains outline proposals for the future identificcation and supervision of insurance brokers. I am grateful to Mr. Perkins and his working party for their examination of this difficult subject. We are studying the report, which we shall need to discuss with them before deciding how best to consult the insurers, consumer interests and others likely to be affected by the proposals.

Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has had since 1st November from insurance brokers' organisations on the subject of the Policyholders Protection Act.

Mr. Clinton Davis

I have received representations from two insurance brokers' organisations about the effects of the Act's provisions for levies on intermediaries.