Consumer Protection: Online Ticketing
Debate between Lord Skelmersdale and Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
The Government will of course consult the enforcement bodies, including trading standards, before we publish our response. We are in discussion with them now. The noble Baroness makes some good points, but of course the internet has fundamentally challenged the ticketing environment. Professor Waterson himself said:
“Britain may be an island, but it is not an internet island”.
We have to recognise that and look forward.
Lord Skelmersdale (Con)
My Lords, what advice would the Minister give to those who suddenly get an email offering one of these tickets?
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
I think my noble friend’s comment shows how careful people have to be. Of course, the Euro 2016 tickets are not covered by this legislation. One of the good things in Professor Waterson’s report is a list of hints and tips to help consumers. I should not anticipate our response but I hope that the project group will move forward in that area.
Sunday Trading
Debate between Lord Skelmersdale and Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
My Lords, we have not taken decisions yet in relation to our proposals, or on what legislative vehicle would be appropriate.
Lord Skelmersdale (Con)
My Lords, will not such devolution result in a postcode lottery? Can one imagine, for example, a chain of garden centres across the country—in which, incidentally, I have no interest to declare—being allowed to open in local authority A and not local authority B?
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
My Lords, I think you would indeed get differences, and that would reflect different councils and the different views of different elected representatives. I am glad that my noble friend mentioned garden centres because the Horticultural Trades Association is one of the bodies that is particularly keen to see reform, so that people can buy their plants and pots on a Sunday.
Superfast Broadband
Debate between Lord Skelmersdale and Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
My Lords, this is an important mission but time is needed for legislation, proper consultation and developing the arrangements with Ofcom. Obviously, the financial arrangements are to be determined and we will look at different options, including an industry cost-sharing mechanism.
Lord Skelmersdale (Con)
My Lords, the problem in rural areas where you have scattered houses is that, as was just said, fibre-optic cables are not appropriate—but satellite is. Does my noble friend intend to alter the planning Acts so that satellite dishes can be put on listed buildings?
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
My Lords, my noble friend is absolutely right that satellite is part of the solution to ensure access for everyone to at least two megabits per second by the end of this year. I would be cautious about planning, and particularly about historic buildings.
Small Businesses: Late Payment
Debate between Lord Skelmersdale and Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
My Lords, the noble Lord is right to refer to both construction and local authorities. As he will know, we have special regulations on construction. As regards local authorities, we have brought in a law that will require them to publish data on their performance from next year—the power of transparency. Again, that will help a lot to change the climate. Moreover, the construction example shows that where we have to take steps, we do. We have done that in the grocery and construction sectors; where there is clear evidence of abuse we are ready to act, because we want things to change.
Lord Skelmersdale (Con)
My Lords, so far the discussion has been on the exchange of money between businesses. However, in my experience as the director of a minuscule company, charities can be just as bad. Can my noble friend say what pressure should be put on charities?
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
My noble friend raises an excellent and new point for me, which I will take away and discuss with him.