§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to seek to amend consumer protection legislation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherI refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok (Mr. Dunnachie) on 18 November, at column552 to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Page) on 16 December at column 540 and to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 13 January at column 315.
We are also considering proposals for revised regulations on pyramid selling and for amending the Unsolicited Goods and Services Acts. The Government intend to repeal the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 by replacing it with a new order under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 in order to introduce new requirements on the origin marking of goods.
Regulations made under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (which includes a general safety requirement for consumer goods) and its predecessors will be kept under continuous review with the aim of revising, revoking or adding to them where this is necessary, to provide specific protection to consumers. In particular, the House will be aware of my hon. Friend's statement on 11 January about regulations on the flammability of domestic upholstered furniture.