Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
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Local Lib Dem MP Norman Baker co-sponsors Bill to control small print
Local Lib Dem MP Norman Baker has co-sponsored a Bill introduced in the House of Commons which proposes to legislate on the minimum size of print in certain documents and thereby prevent companies from adding binding, unpleasant terms and conditions in small print on advertising and contracts.
The Small Print Bill would not ban the use small print altogether, but would ensure that any print under a specified size would not be binding or have any legal effect.
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has agreed to take the matter up and consider whether the issue can be addressed as part of the new EU directive on consumer protection.
The Bill also has the support of the RNIB, Age Concern, Help the Aged and Plain English Campaign.
Commenting on the Bill, Norman Baker said:
"I am very pleased to have been able to lend my backing to this Bill which would ensure that customers are much more easily able to be aware of the terms and conditions of any agreement they are entering into.
"There are countless examples of occasions when often vulnerable people have entered into contracts with conditions they are not aware of, on account of the unscrupulous use of small print on documents and indeed on websites and the extent of the problem is illustrated by the fact that the phrase, "in the small print", has now become a standard metaphor for evasive and devious modification of what appears to be on offer.
"It is very easy to say "Let the buyer beware", but if the buyer cannot read the contract, how is he or she supposed to beware? Consumers deserve protection against such manipulation in the small print and this why I am very pleased to have been able to co-sponsor this Bill."