§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years the Director General of Fair Trading has used his powers under Part III of the Fair Trading Act 1973 to take action against traders whose actions were considered to be unfair to consumers. [140974]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Director General of Fair Trading has taken action under Part III of the Fair Trading Act 1973
747Win each year since 1990. A table setting out the details of the action taken is listed below. These figures are set out in the Director General of Fair Trade's annual reports to
Year 1990 15 assurances given, 2 undertakings given to the court and 4 court orders. 1991 7 assurances given, 1 undertaking given to the court and 2 court orders. 1992 26 assurances given, 1 court order. 1993 22 assurances given, 1 undertaking given to the court. 1994 15 assurances given, 8 court orders and 1 conviction for breach of a court order. 1995 22 assurances given, 3 court orders. 1996 30 assurances given and 1 court order. 1997 8 assurances given, 4 court orders, and 2 people found guilty of breaching earlier undertakings. 1998 3 assurances given, 2 court orders and 1 person found guilty of contempt of court for breaching earlier undertakings. 1999 4 assurances given, 1 person found guilty of breach of a former court order and 2 people found guilty of breaching earlier undertakings.