HC Deb 29 October 1987 vol 121 cc384-5W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the Government's policy on approval by the Director General of Fair Trading under section 124 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 of a code of practice promoted by a trade association under which arbitration is compulsory, so excluding a consumer's right to recourse to the courts for settlement of disputes.

Mr. Maude

The exercise of the powers under section 124 of the Fair Trading Act is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. I will ask him to write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which trade associations have codes of practice approved by the Director General of Fair Trading under section 124 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 which make provision for arbitration to settle disputes under the code which is compulsory, and exclude the right of the consumer to take the matter to court.

Mr. Maude

This is a matter for the director general. I will ask him to write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the codes of practice approved by the Director General of Fair Trading under section 124 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 which make provision for arbitration to settle disputes, while at the same time preserving the right of the consumer to have recourse to the courts.

Mr. Maude

The codes of practice drawn up in consultation with the Director General of Fair Trading which make such provision are as follows:

  • Association of British Travel Agents: Tour Operators Code of Conduct and Guidelines for Booking Conditions.
  • Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Electrical Appliances Principles for Domestic Electrical Appliance Servicing.
  • British Holiday and Home Parks Association and National Caravan Council.
  • Code of Practice for Selling and Siting Holiday Caravans:
  • Code of Practice for Letting Holiday Caravans
  • Code of Practice for the Photographic Industry.
  • Domestic Electrical Appliance Servicing by Electricity Boards in England and Wales.
  • Domestic Electrical Appliance Servicing by Scottish Electricity Boards.
  • Finance Houses Association Code of Practice.
  • Glass and Glazing Federation: Code of Ethical Practice.
  • Mail Order Traders Association: Code of Practice.
  • National Association of Funeral Directors: Code of Practice.
  • Voluntary Code of Practice for Furniture.
  • Code of Practice for Postal Services.
  • Code of Practice for Vehicle Body Repairs
  • Code of Practice for the Motor Industry.
  • Code of Practice for the Motorcycle Industry.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the trade organisation in respect of which the Director General of Fair Trading has refused approval of the organisation's proposed code of practice under the Fair Trading Act 1973 on the grounds that arbitration under the proposed code was to be compulsory, without the option for the consumer to have recourse to the courts for the disposal of disputes.

Mr. Maude

This is a matter for the director general. I will ask him to write to my hon. Friend.

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