Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 10 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 July 2003. It was answered by Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 July 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, how many undertakings she has received from businesses to desist from unfair trading; how many subsequent breaches of these undertakings there have been; and how many have been prosecuted for breach of undertaking; if she will set out the procedures in place for monitoring undertakings given by businesses to desist from unfair trading.

Answer: Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many undertakings she has received from businesses to desist from unfair trading; how many subsequent breaches of these undertakings there have been; and how many have been prosecuted for breach of undertaking; [125826] (2) if she will set out the procedures in place for monitoring undertakings given by businesses to desist from unfair trading. [125828] Mr. Sutcliffe: Under the Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulations 2001, there have been 26 undertakings (12 by the Office of Fair Trading and 14 by Trading Standards authorities) received against business breaching consumer protection legislation. The DTI do not receive undertakings from business under these Regulations. As a result of breaches of the undertaking, seven cases gone to court and Stop Now Orders obtained. A breach of a Stop Now Order in one case resulted in the trader been found guilty of contempt of court.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 409 c383W;409 c381W; 125826;125828
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Consumers Business Protection Prosecutions Unfair practices Stop now orders
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk