Contributions
2,740 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)Amendments 68 and 69 would add the practice of greenwashing to the list of banned practices in schedule 18, and would introduce a requirement for the Government to consult on the…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)I totally understand the hon. Gentleman’s point, which is why I will look at it over the summer. It is not provided for in the Bill, but he makes a good point and I am keen to…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr McCabe. Clause 217 sets out the unfair commercial practices that are prohibited. Those include misleading actions, misleading…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to move amendment 71, in clause 217, page 146, line 5, leave out second “trader” and insert “person”. This amendment ensures that the definition of “commercial practice” for…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)The shadow Minister makes some fair points. In terms of the requirement for the consumer to prove cancellation, as she no doubt recognises, clause 6 contains obligations on the…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)I appreciate the continued spaghetti western analogies. In my case, “Pale Rider” might be a more apt example, as obviously my demographics mean that I am pale, stale and male, but…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)I entirely agree. We do not think the marketplaces are going far enough. It is a key phrase that the likes of Amazon, Wish and so on just see themselves as marketplaces rather…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)I am coming to that.04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)Clause 223 sets out who is responsible for enforcing the prohibition on unfair commercial practices. Trading standards have a duty to enforce the prohibitions in their areas…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Twelfth sitting)I have meetings with the national teams of trading standards, and indeed the CMA, on a regular basis. We have had numerous discussions about the legislation, if the hon. Lady…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)Clause 229 sets out that it is a criminal offence for a trader to engage in a commercial practice that involves any of the following: misleading actions, misleading omissions,…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)The banned practices to which the shadow Minister and I have referred are not currently subject to criminal liability, and we did not consider it appropriate to introduce new…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)The hon. Lady makes a very good point. Regulators play a part in this as well by ensuring that the average consumer is assessed correctly and that there is relevant assessment of…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)In chapter 2 of part 4 of the Bill, we are introducing measures to give consumers new rights over their subscription contracts, while ensuring that businesses are not overburdened…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)From the—first we have to get Royal Assent, of course—04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)There are a few points to pick up on there. The shadow Minister wanted clarification on what “as soon as practicable” means. We expect traders to provide consumers with the…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)Is this a speech or an intervention?04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)The assessment is set out. The impact assessment for businesses states a figure of £179 million, I think.04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)Clauses 264 to 273 set out how to determine when information or notices are deemed to have been given and where the burden of proof lies in any dispute. Clause 264 sets out how to…04 Jul 2023HANSARDDigital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Thirteenth sitting)Part 4, chapter 3 of the Bill introduces requirements that businesses operating consumer savings schemes such as Christmas savings clubs adequately protect consumers. Clause 274…04 Jul 2023