Written question asked by Christopher Chope (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 October 2003. It was answered by Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 October 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the purpose of (a) Consumer Direct and (b) the Consumer Gateway. - (Holding answer 27 October 2003).

Answer: Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the purpose of (a) Consumer Direct and (b) the Consumer Gateway. [134481] Mr. Sutcliffe :[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The purpose of Consumer Direct is to increase the provision, quality and consistency of consumer advice across England, Scotland and Wales. Current unmet demand for consumer advice is estimated at up to 1.5m calls per annum ("DTI Consumer Helplines Study", February 2002). The Consumer Direct approach is to empower consumers to make the right choices and to resolve problems themselves, so placing more effective pressure on companies to improve. Consumer Direct will also increase the quality and coverage of information for those enforcing consumer legislation. The Consumer Gateway acts as a portal to consumer information available online. It provides links to a variety of relevant information sources. Consumer Gateway will be subsumed by Consumer Direct Online when it goes live next summer.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 134481; 412 c163-4W;412 c171-2W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Consumers Advisory services Internet Telephone services Information services Consumer Direct
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk