§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will seek to amend the Consumer Credit Act 1974 so as to stop the practice whereby files supplied by a credit reference agency under section 184(1) of the Act may in some circumstances include information about people other than the particular consumer involved.
§ Mr. MaudeI assume that the hon. Member is referring to section 158(1) of the Consumer Credit Act. I have no plans to change this provision of the Act. I am aware, however, of the concern about certain commercial practices of credit reference agencies. The Director General of Fair Trading has a statutory responsibility in this area, and I know that he is considering this issue.