Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Clause 228 protects consumers against inertia selling, which occurs when traders send unsolicited products to consumers and then demand payment for the products or that the products be returned or safely stored. The clause provides clarity for consumers and traders, leaving no room for doubt. Consumers are exempt from any obligation to pay for the unrequested products, return them or store them safely. The lack of a response by a consumer to a trader does not mean that the consumer has agreed to pay for, return or store the product.

The Minister has laid out the reasons for this clause, which we very much support. It is important to support consumers against inertia selling, and it is a real worry when we hear of cases where traders demand an immediate or deferred payment for the return or even the safekeeping of products that have been supplied but not solicited by the consumer. It is important that we clarify that consumers are not required to pay for products supplied unsolicited by the trader, so we support the clause.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 228 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill.