Schedule 6
Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill
4:00 pm
Ian McCartney (Minister of State (Trade & Investment), Department of Trade and Industry; Makerfield, Labour)
First, the OFT has already consulted on the issue, which is why it has made its recommendations. I am simply saying that I take the issue seriously, and I take it even more seriously when the OFT has already considered the matter. We could not deal with the issue when drafting the Bill, because of the formulation of the unfair commercial practice directive. I am simply suggesting that I bring the parties together and then come back to the Committee and inform it about what was said. I hope to do so before the Bill is considered on Report, but if that is not feasible, I will have to say that I was unable resolve the issue at that stage. If I can do something, I would rather get it right than just try to curry favour with people. I reassure my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North that, having taken his point seriously, I will try to do something about it.