Clause 42 - Guidance on requirements
Consumer Credit Bill
11:45 am
Charles Hendry (Shadow Minister, Trade & Industry; Wealden, Conservative)
May I press the Minister for a little more clarification? In general, we support what is being suggested, but it seems that, in particular, the way in which the OFT will publicise the guidance is vague. Subsection (3) of the clause says:
“The guidance shall be published in such manner as the OFT thinks fit for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of those likely to be affected by it.”
Clearly one must be vague when setting such a measure out in primary legislation, because the way in which the guidance might be published will change over time. Does the Minister have an idea in his mind of how that will be appropriate? Will publication on the OFT website be sufficient? Will the OFT need to write individually to all licensees? Would it be enough to advertise in the newspapers? It would be useful to have a clear understanding of what the Minister has in mind.