Consumer Protection

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts

Monday 11th November 2013 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

My Lords, the powers strike a balance between protecting civil liberties and reducing burdens on business and enabling enforcers to tackle rogue traders. Requiring enforcers to give 48 hours’ notice before carrying out routine inspections will benefit businesses by making it more convenient for them to accommodate these inspections. However, notice need not be given, for example, where it would defeat the purpose of the visit, as when a breach is suspected, such as with counterfeit DVDs.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)]

My Lords, will the Minister, in responding to the request of the noble Lord, Lord Kennedy, for protection of consumers from unfair practices, look at helping those people who find that, without their knowledge, they are signed up for membership of trade unions or the Labour Party?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

My noble friend may be aware that there is a Bill going through Parliament at the moment and I am at the Dispatch Box later.