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Consumer Rights Bill evidence programme announced

11 February 2014

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The House of Commons Public Bill Committee considering the Government's Consumer Rights Bill will hear oral evidence on Tuesday 11 February and on Thursday 13 February 2014.

The Committee will then consider the Bill every Tuesday and Thursday from 25 February, concluding on Thursday 13 March 2014.

The provisional programme of witnesses for the Consumer Rights Committee has been agreed by its Programming Sub-Committee.

The meetings are open to the public.

Programme and witnesses

Tuesday 11 February 2014 - morning

Taking place in the Boothroyd Room in Portcullis House.

From c8.55am until no later than 9.45am:

  • Which?
  • Citizens Advice

c9.45am until no later than 10.15am:

  • The Law Commission
  • The Scottish Law Commission

c10.15am until no later than 11am:

  • The Confederation of British Industry
  • The British Retail Consortium
  • The Federation of Small Businesses

Tuesday 11 February 2014 - afternoon

Taking place in the Boothroyd Room in Portcullis House.

2pm until no later than 2.45pm

  • The Trading Standards Institute
  • The Office of Fair Trading

c2.45pm until no later than 3.15pm

  • MoneySavingExpert.com

c3.15pm until no later than 4pm

  • Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Line by line scrutiny of the Bill

Line by line scrutiny of the Bill will take place in Committee Room 10, Palace of Westminster, on the following days:

  • Thursday 13 February 2014 - 11am and 2pm
  • Tuesday 25 February 2014 - 8.55am and 2pm
  • Thursday 27 February 2014 - 11.30am and 2pm
  • Tuesday 4 March 2014 - 8.55am and 2pm
  • Thursday 6 March 2014 - 11.30am and 2pm
  • Tuesday 11 March 2014 - 8.55am and 2pm
  • Thursday 13 March 2014 - 11.30am and 2pm

The Committee must complete consideration of the Bill no later than 5pm on Thursday 13 March.

These sessions will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. There is no system for the prior reservation of seats in Committee Rooms.

It is advisable to allow about 20 minutes to pass through security checks. Timings and room numbers are subject to change.

Aims of the Consumer Rights Bill

The Bill is designed to set out a framework that consolidates in one place key consumer rights covering contracts for goods, services, digital content and the law relating to unfair terms in consumer contracts.

The Bill also introduces easier routes for consumers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to challenge anti-competitive behaviour through the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).

In addition, the Bill would consolidate and simplify enforcers' powers as listed in Schedule 5 to investigate potential breaches of consumer law and clarifies that certain enforcers (Trading Standards) can operate across local authority boundaries.

Finally, the Bill would give the civil courts and public enforcers greater flexibility to take the most appropriate action for consumers when dealing with breaches or potential breaches of consumer law.

Follow the progress of the Consumer Rights Bill

The Consumer Rights was introduced into the House of Commons on 23 January 2014. The second reading of the Bill took place on 28 January 2014, giving MPs the opportunity to debate the main principles of the Bill.

Have your say on the Consumer Rights Billl

Although the Committee will start hearing oral evidence on Tuesday 11 February, the Committee is still able to receive written evidence from those with relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Bill.

Further Information

The Scrutiny Unit can help with any queries about oral evidence.

This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.

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