Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007

The core functions

8 The representative function

(1) The Council may—

(a) provide advice and information to persons within subsection (2) about consumer matters,

(b) make proposals to such persons about consumer matters, and

(c) represent the views of consumers on consumer matters to such persons.

(2) Those persons are—

(a) any Minister of the Crown or government department;

(b) the Scottish Ministers;

(c) the Welsh Ministers;

(d) any regulatory body established by or under an enactment;

(e) the European Commission or any other international organisation;

(f) any other person whom the Council considers might have an interest in the matter in question.

(3) In this section “enactment” means—

(a) an Act of Parliament,

(b) an Act of the Scottish Parliament,

(c) a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, or

(d) Northern Ireland legislation,

whenever passed or made.

9 The research function

The Council may obtain and keep under review—

(a) information about consumer matters,

(b) information about the views of consumers on consumer matters, and

(c) information of such other description as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State by order.

10 The information function

(1) The Council may facilitate the dissemination to consumers of advice and information—

(a) about the Council and its functions,

(b) about consumer matters, and

(c) about such other matters as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State by order.

(2) In exercising the power conferred by subsection (1) the Council may (among other things)—

(a) publish or otherwise make available information in any manner the Council thinks appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of those likely to be interested;

(b) support (financially or otherwise), facilitate or co-ordinate the activities of other persons.