Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL]

Northern Ireland legislative consent sought. Relevant documents: 1st and 6th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee.

Third Reading

That the Bill be now read a third time.

My Lords, I will now make a short statement on the position regarding legislative consent on the Bill. The Government accept that legislative consent from the Northern Ireland Assembly would be required for Clauses 1, 5 and 11. These clauses cover areas that aim to modernise air passenger rights, strengthen consumer protection enforcement and enable updates to airport slot allocation. The Government have written to the Northern Ireland Executive on this matter, and my expectation is that these issues will be fully addressed during the Bill’s passage in the other place. We remain committed to sustained engagement with the devolved Governments for the remainder of the Bill’s passage. I beg to move.

Schedule 1: Direct enforcement of consumer protection legislation by CAA

Amendment 1

1: Schedule 1, page 33, line 21, leave out paragraph (c) Member’s explanatory statement This amendment would remove provision that is unnecessary because the statement of policy prepared by the CMA under paragraph 16F of Schedule 5 to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 will apply to all direct enforcement authorities.

1: Schedule 1, page 33, line 21, leave out paragraph (c) Member’s explanatory statement This amendment would remove provision that is unnecessary because the statement of policy prepared by the CMA under paragraph 16F of Schedule 5 to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 will apply to all direct enforcement authorities.

My Lords, the Government have brought forward a minor and technical amendment. Schedule 1 to the Bill currently amends Schedule 5 to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to refer us to a statement of enforcement policy prepared by a direct enforcement authority. However, under paragraph 16F of Schedule 5, the statement will always be prepared by the Competition and Markets Authority and not a direct enforcement authority. The amendment therefore removes this provision to correct the drafting accordingly. I assure noble Lords that this is a very minor technical amendment that tidies the Bill without changing policy intent.

Amendment 1 agreed.

Bill read a third time.

A privilege amendment was made.

Motion

Moved by

That the Bill do now pass.

My Lords, I am pleased that we are reaching the departure gate for this Bill’s passage through your Lordships’ House.