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Confident Consumers

Although only a few Members have been present to participate in my comeback, I can genuinely say that the debate has been interesting and has featured a good deal of serious comment, questioning and analysis. We all want to arrive at the same destination when it comes to some of the big issues and challenges, although there may be different options along the way. Difficult decisions may be necessary. Sometimes the easy decision is to opt out, while a decision that appears difficult at the outset may provide stability in the long term. I shall respond to as many points as I can, but I do not want to give an answer about which I am uncertain, and I may want to go away and ponder some of what has been said. I shall write to those to whom I do not respond today. Both the hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith) and the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk) asked about access to cost-benefit analyses relating to Sunday shopping. I said that I would write to them, but I can also tell them that following my contribution at the stakeholders meeting yesterday the information has been placed on the DTI website. We would welcome comments. That is, however, separate from what I said earlier about preparation for potential further consultation.