Clause 7 - Investigations: enforcement using recommendations

Part of Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee at 3:30 pm on 11 December 2012.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) 3:30, 11 December 2012

I support at least the spirit of the amendment, particularly as it deals with compliance within a set period of time. Had I intervened on the hon. Gentleman, I would perhaps have probed him on what he considers to be a reasonable time for compliance. In any case, he was right to make the point.

When we are looking at an efficient supply chain and at genuine grievances from part of that chain, what people will not want is to be hung out to dry as their businesses and livelihoods suffer. Therefore it is wholly reasonable to expect any recommendations to be implemented within a reasonable time frame.

The Minister has full confidence—I agree with her—in the adjudicator’s discretion in so many ways that it should be within that discretion to stipulate the time frame that is reasonable. The adjudicator would not do that completely off their own bat, but would take soundings from stakeholders and come to a measured and considered conclusion. Their ability to make not only recommendations for improvement but a time scale would hold organisations properly to account and give some hope to those who have genuine grievances that they are not being well served by the code that their issues will be resolved within a proper time frame.