Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [HL]

Before my noble friend gives a final proper response—at least, I assume it will be—may I say briefly that I am grateful for the Minister’s comments and will reflect on them, although I continue to feel that there are some problems here? He is right that there is more than one ombudsman in the telecommunications sector, but I believe that he acknowledged that the DTI had also had a hand in that proposal, albeit with the DCMS alongside it. I should put on the record that I was aware of that, as are others. It would be putting it mildly to say that there are mixed views on the merits of that for consumers. I shall not add to that at this stage. The other point that I want to put firmly on record is that there is the most glaring disparity between what is envisaged here and what the Government have done in relation to financial services. I therefore hope that the Minister will reflect on what I have said, and on what the noble Lord, Lord Borrie, has said, too.