The government is aiming for the Consumer Protection and Hire Purchase Legislation Bill to be submitted to Parliament “by mid-year”, according to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad.

In a written response to a question submitted by AFC member Sheila Holder, the minister said a legal review of the bill should have been completed by the end of March and then submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers for final vetting before submission to Parliament.

He also said that the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit has started to work on a Hire Purchase Bill and will present a draft for consideration in the next three months.