§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to permit citizens advice bureaux to provide financial advice. [72363]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 22 February 1999]: Citizens Advice Bureaux already play an important role in advising and assisting consumers on financial matters. When the Financial Services and Markets Bill has been enacted, I hope that they will be able to work with the Financial Services Authority, which we propose should have a public awareness objective, to improve consumer education on financial services generally. However, the giving of personal financial advice is a regulated activity which requires, and will continue to require under the new bill, authorisation.