I thank the Minister for that reply. His argument depends on whether the regulation-making power can ensure that electronic provision is not forced on individuals. I shall look carefully at what he has said to see whether this is adequately dealt with. It is not covered in the existing regulations; the issue is whether the regulations ought to be looked at again. Providers have all sorts of ways of getting details such as e-mail addresses; for example, small print may say, "By giving us your e-mail address, you have allowed us to use your e-mail address". We cannot necessarily rely on providers to be reasonable about the way in which they do this, because the cost advantages are so great. One has only to look at how devious companies are at slipping in a tiny piece of paper with the annual report package that says, "Are you really sure you want to carry on having hard copy?". You have to find that little bit of paper to make sure that you carry on having hard copy.
We have to recognise that the corporate world loves electronic communication and that the consumer world is not necessarily ready for it. It is that which needs to be protected. I leave the Minister to contemplate that. In the mean time, I shall read his comments carefully before Report. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment 37 withdrawn.
Clause 9 agreed.
Saving Gateway Accounts Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Baroness Noakes
(Conservative)
in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 21 April 2009.
It occurred during Debate on bills
and
Committee proceeding on Saving Gateway Accounts Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
Reference
709 c361-2GC Session
2008-09Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand CommitteeSubjects
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