HL Deb 09 February 1978 vol 388 c1240WA
Lord LYELL

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware that catalogue mail order trading companies give equal cooling-off rights to cash and credit customers; that the number of days is far in excess of those laid down by the United Kingdom legislation and the proposed EEC Directive on Contracts Negotiated Away from Business Premises; and whether the Government will seek to exempt such companies from spending an extra £20 million on 750 million pieces of paper, which will give the consumer no additional benefits.

Lord ORAM

The Government appreciate the difficulties which would be created for catalogue mail order trading companies if the draft Directive on contracts negotiated away from business premises were to be applied in its present form, and they have no wish to subscribe to a proposal which would create unnecessary problems without at the same time offering corresponding benefits to consumers. The United Kingdom approach to this proposal will be conditioned by these considerations as well as by the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

House adjourned at twenty-eight minutes past six o'clock.