My right hon. and noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Ashton of Upholland has made the following written ministerial statement:"““Today the Government are announcing their timetable for the introduction during 2007 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.""In April 2007 the Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) and some directly...

My right hon. and noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Ashton of Upholland has made the following written ministerial statement:"““Today the Government are announcing their timetable for the introduction during 2007 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.""In April 2007 the Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) and some directly...

I shall speak to the amendments relating to Energywatch and Postwatch. First, my noble friends Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan and Lord Whitty, who has great knowledge in this area, raised the issue of an integrated consumer body. A number of noble Lords have asked why a consumer body cannot do...

I shall speak to the amendments relating to Energywatch and Postwatch. First, my noble friends Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan and Lord Whitty, who has great knowledge in this area, raised the issue of an integrated consumer body. A number of noble Lords have asked why a consumer body cannot do...

I support my noble friend Lady O’Cathain. I, too, apologise for being unable to participate on Second Reading. We have to be clear about the function of the Committee stage of a Bill, and it is playing a bit fast and loose with it to say that because a Second...

I support my noble friend Lady O’Cathain. I, too, apologise for being unable to participate on Second Reading. We have to be clear about the function of the Committee stage of a Bill, and it is playing a bit fast and loose with it to say that because a Second...

I hope that the Minister will not accept the amendment. It is quite ridiculous. I wish that all the consumers in this country had the faintest idea of their rights and obligations and what the laws are in this country, let alone in many others. It has long been my...

I hope that the Minister will not accept the amendment. It is quite ridiculous. I wish that all the consumers in this country had the faintest idea of their rights and obligations and what the laws are in this country, let alone in many others. It has long been my...

I shall speak to Amendments Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 19 in this group. AmendmentNo. 16 is a probing amendment, intended to clarify the exact definition of a consumer. The Bill differentiates between an existing consumer and a future consumer. While it is clear what an existing consumer is, I...

I shall speak to Amendments Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 19 in this group. AmendmentNo. 16 is a probing amendment, intended to clarify the exact definition of a consumer. The Bill differentiates between an existing consumer and a future consumer. While it is clear what an existing consumer is, I...

I thank my noble friend for his reply. It did not go as far as I wanted but, when we have had time to read and reflect on what we have said, there may be some opportunity for finding common ground. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by...

I thank my noble friend for his reply. It did not go as far as I wanted but, when we have had time to read and reflect on what we have said, there may be some opportunity for finding common ground. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by...

Perhaps I may make a point. The sound system seems to have gone to hell. The noble Lord speaks softly and we are finding it extremely difficult to hear him.

Perhaps I may make a point. The sound system seems to have gone to hell. The noble Lord speaks softly and we are finding it extremely difficult to hear him.

I am happy to sit down, although, in my 20 years of experience in this House, I am used to moving amendments on my feet. After spending a lot of money on the Moses Room, I do not see why we cannot get this right.

I am happy to sit down, although, in my 20 years of experience in this House, I am used to moving amendments on my feet. After spending a lot of money on the Moses Room, I do not see why we cannot get this right.

Should I start again?

Should I start again?

First, I apologise for not speaking at Second Reading, but my diary on that day was such that I could not be present for either the opening or closing speeches. Secondly, I pass on apologies from my noble friend Lord Razzall, who is unable to be here today. The noble...

First, I apologise for not speaking at Second Reading, but my diary on that day was such that I could not be present for either the opening or closing speeches. Secondly, I pass on apologies from my noble friend Lord Razzall, who is unable to be here today. The noble...

That is not my understanding. The fact that they exist does not mean that they are formally devolved.

That is not my understanding. The fact that they exist does not mean that they are formally devolved.

I shall speak to Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 to Clause 1, Amendments Nos. 13A and 13B to Schedule 1 and Amendments Nos. 20, 22, 25, 27 and 28, and 32 to 37 to Clause 4, in the name of my noble friend Lord Williams of Elvel and...

I shall speak to Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 to Clause 1, Amendments Nos. 13A and 13B to Schedule 1 and Amendments Nos. 20, 22, 25, 27 and 28, and 32 to 37 to Clause 4, in the name of my noble friend Lord Williams of Elvel and...

I said that Energywatch and Postwatch deal with the complaints in their sectors. They will continue to deal with those complaints in the new structure, and the respective industries that currently fund Postwatch and Energywatch will continue to fund dealing with those consumer issues in the new consumer body. The...

I said that Energywatch and Postwatch deal with the complaints in their sectors. They will continue to deal with those complaints in the new structure, and the respective industries that currently fund Postwatch and Energywatch will continue to fund dealing with those consumer issues in the new consumer body. The...

The Minister is saying that, if Energywatch and Postwatch are taken on, there will be no increase in costs. Is that right? Maybe I am not hearing correctly.

The Minister is saying that, if Energywatch and Postwatch are taken on, there will be no increase in costs. Is that right? Maybe I am not hearing correctly.

Amendment No. 30 provides for regulations to limit the expenditure that the council can make for its forward work programme. Its budget would be discussed between the department and the council. It is normal practice to provide indicative budgets for three years ahead to aid planning and provide certainty. Making...

Amendment No. 30 provides for regulations to limit the expenditure that the council can make for its forward work programme. Its budget would be discussed between the department and the council. It is normal practice to provide indicative budgets for three years ahead to aid planning and provide certainty. Making...

moved Amendment No. 30: Page 3, line 33, at end insert- ““( ) Expenditure incurred under subsection (3) must not exceed such amount as may be prescribed in regulations.”” The noble Baroness said: Amendment No. 30 sets a cap on the spending of the new National Consumer Council. I have...

moved Amendment No. 30: Page 3, line 33, at end insert- ““( ) Expenditure incurred under subsection (3) must not exceed such amount as may be prescribed in regulations.”” The noble Baroness said: Amendment No. 30 sets a cap on the spending of the new National Consumer Council. I have...

Today the Government are announcing their timetable for the introduction during 2007 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In April 2007 the independent mental capacity advocates (IMCA) and some directly related elements of the legislation to support it, the code of practice to provide guidance, and the criminal offence of...

Today the Government are announcing their timetable for the introduction during 2007 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In April 2007 the independent mental capacity advocates (IMCA) and some directly related elements of the legislation to support it, the code of practice to provide guidance, and the criminal offence of...

I do not like the answer; but it is the answer I have been given. There is nothing more that I can say at this stage. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 47 to 49 not moved.] Clause 9 agreed to. Clause 10...

I do not like the answer; but it is the answer I have been given. There is nothing more that I can say at this stage. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 47 to 49 not moved.] Clause 9 agreed to. Clause 10...