Clause 8
Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill
5:00 pm
Ben Wallace (Lancaster and Wyre, Conservative)
I just want to pick up on the earlier point made by the right hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill about the very ethos of the consumer council and where we go with it. I am a believer in transparencyin government. My one concern here is that in subsection (2) the council will decide who should see its representations or its information. It is a consumer body to represent us, often against business or unfair practices by other authorities.
It is important that it is not left to the council to decide under subsection (2)(f) who
“might have an interest in the matter in question.”
I would like to make that decision and I think many consumers would. It would be a good step forward if the Government considered, perhaps before Third reading, whether there is any way in which they can increase transparency. If we are to have faith in the system—I notice that it involves many Ministers—why can we not have access and decide more about where things go?