§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans she has to address levels of credit card debt; [80737]
(2) what discussions her Department has had with credit card companies regarding levels of credit card debt. [80738]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI recently published the results of research commissioned by the DTI into the cause, extent and effects of overindebtedness, which includes data on credit card use. The Task Force on Tackling Overindebtedness, which includes representatives from the credit industry as well as from consumer groups and Government, have considered this research as well as the results of several working groups looking at different ways of achieving more responsible borrowing and lending, including some relating to credit card facilities. I am now considering their recommendations for further action, in the light of the work we are doing on reviewing the consumer credit act, and will publish my response in due course.