Clause 48 - Conditions relating to customer interests
Communications Bill
12:30 pm
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness), Department of Trade and Industry; East Ham, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman is right. The directive does not require that the dispute scheme be provided free of charge, simply that it should be inexpensive. However, we do not want to discourage consumers from using it on cost grounds. A small charge might not be worth collecting—a nominal one certainly would not be. On the grounds of simplicity, the approach taken in clause 48 is right.
Clause 48 ordered to stand part of the Bill.