§ 31. Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to make the commencement order to bring the Estate Agents Act into force ; and if he will make a statement.
§ 33. Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Trade when he will complete his consultations about regulations to implement the Estate Agents Act.
§ Mr. EyreIt is important that new duties should not be placed upon estate agents without allowing adequate time for preparation. It is also essential that regulations as to clients' money and detailed accounting requirements should be made only after the fullest consultation and consideration. My aim is to complete the consultations—which have already started—in sufficient time to make a commencement order early next year with a view to bringing into operation some six months later certain provisions, including sections 1 to 15, 18, 20, 21 and 23, and the regulations governing accounts and their audit and appeals362W against orders made by the Director General of Fair Trading.