§ 32. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what further proposals are being considered to improve the protection of consumers.
§ Mr. MaclennanA number of measures are proposed or are under consideration. A priority will be legislation to deal with exemption clauses, following reports from the Law Commissions. This will bring the rules relating to goods which are hired or exchanged into line with those for goods which are bought.
The implementation of the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act is proceeding.
The Director General of Fair Trading's review of the Trade Descriptions Act has now been received and my right hon. Friend is considering its recommendations. She issued a consultative document 378W on estate agency in November 1975 and will consider the introduction of legislation in the light of the response to the proposals in that document.
A consultative document has recently been issued on consumer safety. Comments on this are now being considered carefully.
My right hon. Friend is also considering the report which she has received from the National Consumer Council recommending ways of strengthening consumer representation in the nationalised industries.