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2006-07 (2,114)
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My Lords, has the Minister had consultations with the citizens advice bureaux and other NGOs that expressed concern about the levels of debt incurred by vulnerable consumers during their evidence to sub-committee G of European Union scrutiny committee?
My Lords, has the Minister had consultations with the citizens advice bureaux and other NGOs that expressed concern about the levels of debt incurred by vulnerable consumers during their evidence to sub-committee G of European Union scrutiny committee?
Asked by
Baroness Howarth of Breckland
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 October 2007
My Lords, I do not have the information to hand, but I will write to the noble Baroness with details of the communications we have had with such organisations.
Notes
Question originally not printed in Daily Part due to a technical problem. Full question and answer printed online.
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the issue of irresponsible lending has been widely canvassed. My concern is that the victims are the ones whose homes are repossessed. Does the Minister believe that the penalties for irresponsible lending are sufficient?
My Lords, the issue of irresponsible lending has been widely canvassed. My concern is that the victims are the ones whose homes are repossessed. Does the Minister believe that the penalties for irresponsible lending are sufficient?
Asked by
Lord Davies of Coity
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 October 2007
My Lords, my noble friend is referring to two kinds of lending, one where there is security involved and one where there is no security. On the latter, I referred to action the OFT might take against irresponsible lenders in an earlier answer. As far as mortgages are concerned, the FSA has been doing a lot of work in this area recently. It recently published details of a review into the behaviour of intermediaries and lenders within the sub-prime mortgage market. It discovered weaknesses in responsible lending practices and in firms’ assessments of consumers’ ability to afford a mortgage. As a result it referred five firms to its enforcement division. Potential remedies include withdrawal of their permission to operate and financial penalties.
Notes
Question originally not printed in Daily Part due to a technical problem. Full question and answer printed as a correction on 25 October 2007 at 695 c1202.
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071,1202
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister accept that, notwithstanding recent consumer legislation, unsolicited credit card applications still remain a problem?
My Lords, does the Minister accept that, notwithstanding recent consumer legislation, unsolicited credit card applications still remain a problem?
Asked by
Lord Razzall
(Liberal Democrat)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 October 2007
My Lords, much is being done: we have reformed the regulations governing consumer credit advertising to make these clearer and fairer. We have also introduced pre-contract information to help consumers to make an informed choice before entering into a credit agreement. The implementation of the Consumer Credit Act 2006 will give increased powers to the Office of Fair Trading to safeguard the interests of consumers. Beyond that, £11.5 million is being spent on a package of support for schools to teach children financial skills.
Notes
Question originally not printed in Daily Part due to a technical problem. Full question and answer printed as a correction on 25 October 2007 at 695 c1202. Question text further amended in online version of Hansard on 24 October at 695 c1071
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071,1202
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the Minister aware that 80 per cent of the debt in the UK is in the form of a mortgage, which is asset-backed, and that we have one of the most efficient financial services industries in the world? I declare an interest as a senior adviser to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Is he also aware that it is not in the interests of any financial institution to lend money to those who are unable to repay?
My Lords, is the Minister aware that 80 per cent of the debt in the UK is in the form of a mortgage, which is asset-backed, and that we have one of the most efficient financial services industries in the world? I declare an interest as a senior adviser to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Is he also aware that it is not in the interests of any financial institution to lend money to those who are unable to repay?
Asked by
Baroness Kingsmill
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 October 2007
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for those remarks, which are helpful in providing a context to the debate. The vast majority of consumers are able to manage their debts well and the Government do not propose to interfere in those circumstances.
Notes
Question originally not printed in Daily Part due to a technical problem. Full question and answer printed as a correction on 25 October 2007 at 695 c1202.
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1202
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for indulging me and apologise for my incompetence at the beginning of my Answer. The Consumer Credit Act 2006 does contain important new safeguards for consumers. In particular, it will make it easier for the Office of Fair Trading to take action against lenders who do not take a responsible attitude to lending when considering who is fit to hold a consumer credit licence. But it is not just about addressing behaviour through legislation. Financial education, particularly of the young, has an equally important role in ensuring that a responsible attitude is taken to borrowing as well as lending.
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for indulging me and apologise for my incompetence at the beginning of my Answer. The Consumer Credit Act 2006 does contain important new safeguards for consumers. In particular, it will make it easier for the Office of Fair Trading to take action against lenders who do not take a responsible attitude to lending when considering who is fit to hold a consumer credit licence. But it is not just about addressing behaviour through legislation. Financial education, particularly of the young, has an equally important role in ensuring that a responsible attitude is taken to borrowing as well as lending.
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Hendon
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Having said that, I was worried at first that I had the wrong supplementary. I was going to ask whether he remembered the Consumer Credit Act 2006, but of course he was not in the House at the time we debated it. Is the Minister aware—I am sure that he is—that I proposed a very modest amendment that would have required the lender to ask the borrower if he had the means to meet the commitment? The then Minister replied that it was certainly not necessary to have that on the face of the Bill. Given the indebtedness of individuals throughout the country and the fact that I never like to say I was right—nevertheless I am going to say that I was right—could the Minister please now tell the House what they are prepared to do to remedy the situation?
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071,1201-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Having said that, I was worried at first that I had the wrong supplementary. I was going to ask whether he remembered the Consumer Credit Act 2006, but of course he was not in the House at the time we debated it. Is the Minister aware—I am sure that he is—that I proposed a very modest amendment that would have required the lender to ask the borrower if he had the means to meet the commitment? The then Minister replied that it was certainly not necessary to have that on the face of the Bill. Given the indebtedness of individuals throughout the country and the fact that I never like to say I was right—nevertheless I am going to say that I was right—could the Minister please now tell the House what they are prepared to do to remedy the situation?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Having said that, I was worried at first that I had the wrong supplementary. I was going to ask whether he remembered the Consumer Credit Act 2006, but of course he was not in the House at the time we debated it. Is the Minister aware—I am sure that he is—that I proposed a very modest amendment that would have required the lender to ask the borrower if he had the means to meet the commitment? The then Minister replied that it was certainly not necessary to have that on the face of the Bill. Given the indebtedness of individuals throughout the country and the fact that I never like to say I was right—nevertheless I am going to say that I was right—could the Minister please now tell the House what they are prepared to do to remedy the situation?
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Hendon
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 October 2007
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for indulging me and apologise for my incompetence at the beginning of my Answer. The Consumer Credit Act 2006 does contain important new safeguards for consumers. In particular, it will make it easier for the Office of Fair Trading to take action against lenders who do not take a responsible attitude to lending when considering who is fit to hold a consumer credit licence. But it is not just about addressing behaviour through legislation. Financial education, particularly of the young, has an equally important role in ensuring that a responsible attitude is taken to borrowing as well as lending.
Notes
Question originally incomplete in Daily Part due to a technical problem. Full question and answer reprinted as a correction on 25 October 2007 at 695 c1201-2.
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services; Protection
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071,1201-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, this is an operational matter for the Royal Mail. Sunday postings are very low but add a huge amount of cost to the business—
My Lords, I apologise. The Government take problem debt very seriously and are in regular dialogue with the financial services sector. Access to and supply of credit is a vital part of the functioning of a market economy. The Government do not propose to upset that. But we have legislated to increase transparency so that consumers are now better informed about their commitments throughout the lifetime of the loan and we continue to raise financial competence in the young.
My Lords, this is an operational matter for the Royal Mail. Sunday postings are very low but add a huge amount of cost to the business—
My Lords, I apologise. The Government take problem debt very seriously and are in regular dialogue with the financial services sector. Access to and supply of credit is a vital part of the functioning of a market economy. The Government do not propose to upset that. But we have legislated to increase transparency so that consumers are now better informed about their commitments throughout the lifetime of the loan and we continue to raise financial competence in the young.
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Hendon
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Whether they will put proposals to banks, building societies and financial services providers with a view to reducing the number of personal bankruptcies, mortgage repossessions and individual voluntary arrangements; and whether they will introduce legislation on these matters in the absence of co-operation from these lenders.
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I do not have the information to hand, but I will write to the noble Baroness with details of the communications we have had with such organisations.
My Lords, I do not have the information to hand, but I will write to the noble Baroness with details of the communications we have had with such organisations.
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Asked by
Baroness Howarth of Breckland
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, has the Minister had consultations with the citizens advice bureaux and other NGOs that expressed concern about the levels of debt incurred by vulnerable consumers during their evidence to sub-committee G of European Union scrutiny committee?
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, my noble friend is referring to two kinds of lending, one where there is security involved and one where there is no security. On the latter, I referred to action the OFT might take against irresponsible lenders in an earlier answer. As far as mortgages are concerned, the FSA has been doing a lot of work in this area recently. It recently published details of a review into the behaviour of intermediaries and lenders within the sub-prime mortgage market. It discovered weaknesses in responsible lending practices and in firms’ assessments of consumers’ ability to afford a mortgage. As a result it referred five firms to its enforcement division. Potential remedies include withdrawal of their permission to operate and financial penalties.
My Lords, my noble friend is referring to two kinds of lending, one where there is security involved and one where there is no security. On the latter, I referred to action the OFT might take against irresponsible lenders in an earlier answer. As far as mortgages are concerned, the FSA has been doing a lot of work in this area recently. It recently published details of a review into the behaviour of intermediaries and lenders within the sub-prime mortgage market. It discovered weaknesses in responsible lending practices and in firms’ assessments of consumers’ ability to afford a mortgage. As a result it referred five firms to its enforcement division. Potential remedies include withdrawal of their permission to operate and financial penalties.
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Asked by
Lord Davies of Coity
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the issue of irresponsible lending has been widely canvassed. My concern is that the victims are the ones whose homes are repossessed. Does the Minister believe that the penalties for irresponsible lending are sufficient?
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071,1202
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for those remarks, which are helpful in providing a context to the debate. The vast majority of consumers are able to manage their debts well and the Government do not propose to interfere in those circumstances.
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for those remarks, which are helpful in providing a context to the debate. The vast majority of consumers are able to manage their debts well and the Government do not propose to interfere in those circumstances.
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Asked by
Baroness Kingsmill
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, is the Minister aware that 80 per cent of the debt in the UK is in the form of a mortgage, which is asset-backed, and that we have one of the most efficient financial services industries in the world? I declare an interest as a senior adviser to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Is he also aware that it is not in the interests of any financial institution to lend money to those who are unable to repay?
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1202
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, much is being done: we have reformed the regulations governing consumer credit advertising to make these clearer and fairer. We have also introduced pre-contract information to help consumers to make an informed choice before entering into a credit agreement. The implementation of the Consumer Credit Act 2006 will give increased powers to the Office of Fair Trading to safeguard the interests of consumers. Beyond that, £11.5 million is being spent on a package of support for schools to teach children financial skills.
My Lords, much is being done: we have reformed the regulations governing consumer credit advertising to make these clearer and fairer. We have also introduced pre-contract information to help consumers to make an informed choice before entering into a credit agreement. The implementation of the Consumer Credit Act 2006 will give increased powers to the Office of Fair Trading to safeguard the interests of consumers. Beyond that, £11.5 million is being spent on a package of support for schools to teach children financial skills.
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Asked by
Lord Razzall
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister accept that, notwithstanding recent consumer legislation, unsolicited credit card applications still remain a problem?
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071,1202
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Type
Select Committee reports; House of Commons papers;
Parliamentary committees
Committee
European Scrutiny Committee
Subjects
Animal welfare; Consumers; Education; Human rights; Exports; Genetically modified organisms; EU action; Judgements; Pets; Rabies; Training; Security; Research; Timesharing; Maize; Satellite communications; EU Agency for Fundamental Rights
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
HC 41-xxxvi 2006-07
House
House of Commons
Whether they will put proposals to banks, building societies and financial services providers with a view to reducing the number of personal bankruptcies, mortgage repossessions and individual voluntary arrangements; and whether they will introduce legislation on these matters in the absence of co-operation from these lenders.
Whether they will put proposals to banks, building societies and financial services providers with a view to reducing the number of personal bankruptcies, mortgage repossessions and individual voluntary arrangements; and whether they will introduce legislation on these matters in the absence of co-operation from these lenders.
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Hendon
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
24 October 2007
Answered on
24 October 2007
My Lords, this is an operational matter for the Royal Mail. Sunday postings are very low but add a huge amount of cost to the business—
My Lords, I apologise. The Government take problem debt very seriously and are in regular dialogue with the financial services sector. Access to and supply of credit is a vital part of the functioning of a market economy. The Government do not propose to upset that. But we have legislated to increase transparency so that consumers are now better informed about their commitments throughout the lifetime of the loan and we continue to raise financial competence in the young.
Subjects
Consumers; Debts; Credit; Financial services
Date
24 October 2007
Reference
695 c1071
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Type
Select Committee reports; House of Lords papers;
Parliamentary committees
Committee
Select Committee on Regulators
Notes
IDMS 13/11/2007
Subjects
Consumers; Accountability; Cost effectiveness; Cooperation; Competition; Government; Protection; Public participation; Regulation; Water companies; Trade competitiveness; Impact assessments
Commons Library location
Research BT 338.642,P
Date
23 October 2007
Reference
HL 189 2006-07
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether consumer credit guidelines require amateur golf and other amateur sports clubs to obtain a consumer credit licence; and, if so, whether they will amend these guidelines so as to ensure that such clubs do not require a consumer credit licence.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether consumer credit guidelines require amateur golf and other amateur sports clubs to obtain a consumer credit licence; and, if so, whether they will amend these guidelines so as to ensure that such clubs do not require a consumer credit licence.
Asked by
Lord Stevens of Ludgate
(Conservative Independent)
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 October 2007
The Consumer Credit Act requires that most businesses that offer goods or services on credit hold a consumer credit licence. Golf clubs and other private sports clubs which allow for payment of membership fees in more than four instalments may need a consumer credit licence. However, whether a licence is required will be dependent on the individual circumstances applicable to the operation of each individual club, such as whether the club is classified as ““carrying on a business””, if so whether this would be classified as ““occasional business”” and whether the particular club's agreements might be subject to any exemptions.
Given that unlicensed trading is a criminal offence, the Office of Fair Trading advice has been for clubs to apply for a consumer credit licence if they are in any doubt. Agreements between clubs and their members may involve substantial loans and as such are as appropriately subject to regulation under the Consumer Credit Act as other types of agreements where credit is provided.
Subjects
Consumers; Clubs; Credit; Licensing; Golf; Sports
Date
22 October 2007
Reference
5430; 695 c75-6WA
House
House of Lords
SI 2007/2999. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Dept for Transport. Coming into force 14th November 2007.
SI 2007/2999. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Dept for Transport. Coming into force 14th November 2007.
Department
Department for Transport
Type
Statutory instruments
Procedure
Negative
Laid on
22 October 2007
Made on
19 October 2007
Coming into force
14 November 2007
Legislation
Civil Aviation Act 1982; Civil Aviation (Contributions to the Air Travel Trust) Regulations 2007
Subjects
Consumers; Aviation; Civil Aviation Authority; Licensing; Enforcement; EU law; Protection; Package holidays; Tour operators; Air Travel Trust
Commons Library location
UP 1711 2006-07
Date
22 October 2007
Reference
SI 2007/2999
House
House of Commons; House of Lords
Type
Select Committee reports; House of Commons papers;
Parliamentary committees
Committee
Trade and Industry Committee
Witnesses
Office of Fair Trading; National Consumer Council; Citizens Advice; Confederation of British Industry
Subjects
Codes of practice; Consumers; Administration; Competition; Recruitment; Mergers; Office of Fair Trading; Standards
Commons Library location
CS 340
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
HC 591 2006-07
House
House of Commons
That this House believes that the Government must now intervene and offer a compensation package for the victims of the collapse of the Farepak savings scheme; notes that the Farepak victims have not received a single penny of compensation and are no closer to securing justice in this case; further notes that the Government were quick to intervene to guarantee the savings of customers of Northern Rock while doing nothing for Farepak victims; believes that the Government does have obligations in that it failed to provide adequate consumer protection through regulation; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to ensure that another Farepak-type scandal cannot happen again.
That this House believes that the Government must now intervene and offer a compensation package for the victims of the collapse of the Farepak savings scheme; notes that the Farepak victims have not received a single penny of compensation and are no closer to securing justice in this case; further...
Primary sponsor
Pete Wishart
(Scottish National Party)
Type
Early day motions
Subjects
Compensation; Consumers; Insolvency; Farepak
Date
17 October 2007
Reference
2141
House
House of Commons
Type
House of Commons papers; Select Committee oral evidence;
Parliamentary committees
Committee
European Scrutiny Committee
Subjects
Consumers; Timesharing; Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Thomas, Gareth
Commons Library location
CS 970
Date
17 October 2007
Reference
HC 1080-i 2006-07
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effect of the Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order 2005 on consumer protection.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effect of the Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order 2005 on consumer protection.
Asked by
Jim Cunningham
(Labour)
Answered by
Gareth Thomas
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 October 2007
For answer on
11 October 2007
Answered on
16 October 2007
Responsibility for the Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order 2005 rests with the Office of Fair Trading. The OFT monitors and enforces this order to ensure as far as possible that it is complied with. In addition, the OFT is commissioning a project to examine the impact that the Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order 2005 has had on the extended warranties market. The OFT will publish the findings from this project in summer 2008.
Subjects
Consumers; Electrical goods; Protection; Warranties
Date
16 October 2007
Reference
157586; 464 c988W
House
House of Commons