But suspending or removing licences, which can be for non-credit reasons such as car clocking, does not put dodgy firms out of the market. More generally, the enhanced enforcement base I have spoken about means that close liaison and co-ordination with our partners in consumer protection is going to be essential in order to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure consistency of approach. Business needs confidence that action will be taken in a clear, coherent and consistent manner and enforcers need to use their resources efficiently and effectively to tackle the real rogues, without over-burdening legitimate businesses. You will, I hope be as excited as I am at the prospect of these changes. However, the cynical may still wonder whether they will come to pass.
Timing is obviously of some concern.
I hesitate to offer an opinion with so many practitioners of the legislative system present. However, I hope they will agree that the earliest realistic opportunity is to announce the Bill in the Queen s Speech next November, to introduce it into Parliament soon after, with the hope of Royal Assent being granted in the summer of 2001. The powers could come into effect soon after that. That is, I think, likely to be a little before the next General Election, although others here may have more informed views as to precisely when it will be. First, I think there is a real ministerial commitment to improving the lot of consumers.