Clause 49 - Consumer complaints
Water Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster, Conservative)
We have a curious anomaly in which my amendment and that tabled by the hon. Member for Lewes are very similar. In fact, mine goes just a bit further, but that is the good thing about being a Conservative. I hope that the points that I make, and those made by the hon. Member for Lewes, will be taken into account by the Government, because the amendments concern money, consumer complaints and the authority's behaviour.
We seek to change the way in which the authority reports, and to ensure that there is a certain amount of proportionality—I am beginning to get addicted to that word—in its behaviour. We seek to add provisions that prevent it from doing more than it should.
Proposed new subsection (12D) states:
''A person to whom any amount is directed to be paid by a direction under this section shall be entitled to recover that amount from the relevant undertaker against whom the direction is made by virtue of this section.''
I agree that that is pretty wordy stuff, but we are trying to build in a proper sense of balance. I hope that the amendment will be acceptable to the Government and, if it is not, I am keen to hear why that is the case, so I will take up no more time. I also know that the hon. Member for Lewes will be keen to make his own points.