New Clause 3
Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill
6:15 pm
Ian McCartney (Minister of State (Trade & Investment), Department of Trade and Industry; Makerfield, Labour)
On a point of order, Mr. Weir, I am extremely grateful to you and to Mr. Caton for your guidance and stewardship during these proceedings, as well as for your tolerance and patience during the days of debate. In this relatively short session, we have had broadly constructive debates that I believe reflect a common desire on all sides to deliver a Bill of real benefit to all consumers.
In that spirit, I also thank the hon. Members for Hertford and Stortford and for Richmond Park for their constructive and diligent approach to proposals, and for their contributions. I put on record my appreciation for the way in which they have taken on board Government views on several issues. I have, in turn, reciprocated. I am fully aware that, despite areas of agreement, there remain areas of difference between us, and I wish to return to those on Report.
I am grateful to the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town, for his unstinting support in Committee. He dealt with a large number of important issues, particularly during my enforced absence last Thursday. I put on record my appreciation for my Parliamentary Private Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Wigan, and for my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, for keeping the Government side of the Committee organised. I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North, and I am sorry that I failed to restrain his premature rising on one occasion.
I thank the officials, who have done a brilliant job, not just in Committee but through the months during which we have prepared for the Bill, and kept the Committee fully briefed and informed. Finally, Mr. Weir, I thank the Clerk and all the staff for their efforts: the Hansard reporters, the police and the officers of the House have played an important part in ensuring the smooth running of the Committee.
I thank you for listening to me, Mr. Weir. This is the first time that I have been in Committee for a number of years, and I have really enjoyed it. I look forward to Report and, even more importantly, to when the Bill becomes an Act and we implement it effectively for the first time for millions of consumers and get them redress in situations in which, until now, they have been able to complain but had no possibility of getting redress. I look forward to the discussions that will take place in a few weeks’ time.