Clause 46 - Power of OFT to require information generally
Consumer Credit Bill
12:00 pm
Gerry Sutcliffe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs), Department of Trade and Industry; Bradford South, Labour)
We shall come to the enforcement of the powers and the effect on trading standards services when we discuss clause 49, so it might be more appropriate to deal with that matter then.
Throughout our discussion, the hon. Gentleman has made the charge that the Bill is vague, but he will accept that under the parliamentary process the Bill sets out the framework and follows a White Paper that has been consulted on with all stakeholders. Discussion of the details takes place in relation to secondary legislation and guidance. That is necessary to enable people to understand fully the implications of the Bill.
That is how the details will be looked at. That will take place as soon as possible after the Bill receives Royal Assent. I accept that the hon. Gentleman feels that many aspects of the Bill are vague, but that is usually because of the parliamentary process that has stood us in good stead in much of the legislation that has been introduced. Secondary legislation covers the details and there is a great deal of negotiation before that secondary legislation is introduced. I hope that he will accept that explanation and my assurance that we will discuss the issues involving trading standards services and so on when we come to clause 49.