Clause 3 - Annual plan
Enterprise Bill
12:15 pm
Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne, Conservative)
We welcome the requirement to produce an annual plan. It will be beneficial for the OFT and help it to get its thoughts and priorities in order if it has to set broadly in context its plans and activities for the ensuing year and tell people what to expect, within and without the organisation. It will also help outside bodies, individuals and companies. We shall have more to say on annual reports.
I hope that the Minister will comment on a small practical point. In the clause, as in other provisions in this part of the Bill, there is a requirement to consult before publishing the annual plan. The clause states that
''the OFT shall consult such persons as it considers appropriate.''
That is a bit loose; is it really sensible to leave it to a body like the OFT to decide who it thinks appropriate to consult? We have not got our heads round a suitable amendment listing those who would be appropriate and there is always the worry of disappointing those who are not on such a list. The Government should look at that matter again as it must be in everyone's interest, including that of the OFT, if there is as wide a consultation as possible on the annual plan and on its general activities. Too often, bodies regard consultation as a tiresome formality, and I hope that the OFT will not take that view. However, if the Minister had some thoughts on how the provision could be tightened up, they would be welcome.