Clause 6 - Statements to be provided in relation to fixed-sum credit agreements
Consumer Credit Bill
9:45 am
Gerry Sutcliffe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs), Department of Trade and Industry; Bradford South, Labour)
I heartily agree with the hon. Member for Wealden. The amendment is excellent and, had it been necessary, I would have accepted it. I understand the sentiment behind it, but it is unnecessary because, as the hon. Member for North Norfolk confirmed, new section 77A(1) says that the creditor shall give the debtor a statement. In section 189 of the Consumer Credit Act, “give” is defined as
“deliver or send by an appropriate method”
and therefore covers electronic communication.
The amendment was well thought out, but the Bill already contains a relevant provision. That being the case, I hope that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw his excellent amendment.