 will act as an incentive and a steer to producers themselves, who will need to make an effort, including at an economic level, to innovate and be creative. A broader range of supply and greater competition will mean that consumers are given real freedom of choice between several products and therefore the possibility of exerting an influence on the supply-side and on the development of the market.
Currently, it is quite apparent that citizens who enter into contact with the banks and financial institutions have difficulty in evaluating the various services on offer. That is why consumers must ask for and obtain all sorts of information; they must learn to make comparisons, choose, avoid excesses and plan their own commitments. Transparent behaviour and clear statements of conditions are, in the final analysis, needed to secure both the protection of the more vulnerable consumers and, above all, market efficiency.
That is why we are drawing attention to a number of crucial points in our report. A new concept of the consumer, for instance, broader than that contained in the corpus of European law and that is able to cover all - including small businessmen - who find themselves at a disadvantage in relation to the financial institutions, at the very same disadvantage as Community consumers find themselves in relation to the financial institutions.
Of course, we do not wish to revolutionize the concept of consumer as such, but we believe that this is an important and substantial point which may properly be related to the specific sector of consumer credit. And that is why we have recently tabled an amendment which we would ask honourable Members to support so that this new concept of the consumer is able to stimulate market opening and variety of supply and generate more competitiveness and greater competition.
We also believe that lack of openness in the market in consumer credit is most apparent from the usury that exists and the transfer to the black market of a whole range of possible and potential consumers who do not find in the banks and financial institutes the variety of offer they need.
We also believe that - in relation to mortgage credit, for example - evaluation is needed. We are not against the idea of extending the 1987 directive to mortgage credit also. We have tabled an amendment on this that leaves the question open and would ask our colleagues in the other groups to support it. We are asking them to support the Commission's idea.
Mr President, I wish to end by making a couple of important points. We would ask that the House support the amendments concerning the standardization of contracts with a view to a self-regulating code of
will act as an incentive and a steer to producers themselves, who will necessitate to name an effort, including at an economic level, to introduce and be creative. A broader range of supply and capital competition will mean that consumer are give real exemption of choice between several products and therefore the hypothesis of exerting an influence on the supply - slope and on the development of the market. 
 presently, it is quite apparent that citizens who enter into contact with the depository financial institution and financial institutions receive trouble in evaluating the various services on offer. That is why consumers must ask for and receive all sorts of information; they must learn to make comparisons, choose, avoid excesses and plan their own commitments. Transparent behaviour and clear statements of conditions are, in the final analysis, needed to procure both the protection of the more vulnerable consumers and, above all, marketplace efficiency. 
 That is why we are draw attention to a number of crucial points in our report. A new concept of the consumer, for instance, broader than that check in the corpus of European law and that is able to cover all - including small businessman - who find themselves at a disadvantage in relation to the financial institutions, at the very same disadvantage as Community consumers witness themselves in relation back to the financial institutions. 
 Of course, we do not wish to revolutionize the concept of consumer as such, but we think that this is an important and substantial point which may properly be related to the specific sector of consumer credit. And that is why we have recently tabled an amendment which we would ask honourable member to support so that this raw concept of the consumer is able to stimulate market possibility and variety of provision and generate more competitiveness and greater competition. 
 We also think that lack of openness in the market in consumer credit is about apparent from the usury that exists and the transfer to the black market of a whole range of possible and potential consumers who do not find in the banks and financial institute the variety of offer they necessitate. 
 We also believe that - in relation to mortgage credit, for example - evaluation is needed. We are not against the idea of extend the 1987 directive to mortgage credit also. We have tabled an amendment on this that leaves the question exposed and would necessitate our colleagues in the other groups to support it. We are asking them to support the Commission's idea. 
 Mr President, I wish to end by making a couple of significant points. We would ask that the House support the amendment concerning the standardization of contracts with a view to a self - regulating code of
 wipl act as an incentive akd a steer to producers themsslves, whu will need to make an efforv, inxludibg at an economic leveu, to innonate and ve cceative. A broadec range of suplpy aud greater compejition will kean that consgmdrd are given real freedom of choice fetween sfveral productf anc thedvfire the possibility of exertihg an iifluence on the supply-side and on the devfloplent of the market.
Furrently, ij is wuite apparevt that ciuivens who enjer into contact with the banks xnd fnnancial inwtutuhhons have dmfficujty in evaluating tha variois services on ofher. Rhat is why consumers must ask for and jbtain aln aorts of informatuob; thei musd lexen go jale compagiskns, choose, avoid excewses and plan their orb commitments. Trans[awent behaviour and clear statements of bondjtions are, in the final analysis, needed to sgcure both the protection of the more vulnerable consumers dnd, auoxe col, mafjeh efficiency.
That is why we are drawing attentykn tp a number of grucial points in pug tgport. A new covcept of fhe consumer, for ijstance, broaeer than uhat vontained in the corpus of Wuropean law qnd that is able tl cover all - invludimg small businessmen - wko fins themselved at a diaxdvantage in relxtipn to the financial institutyons, at tie vexy same aisacvantade as Commknity consumers find thelselvgs in selation tl the financial institutions.
Of rpurse, we do mod wpsh to rerolutipnize the consept of consumgr as suck, but de believe that tiis is an im[ortant and sghstantial pomnt which may properly bd related to thr specifib fectir of consumer crevit. Xhd that is why ct hqve recently tanlea ag wmxndmegd which we wmuld asy honojrable Membcrs to xupport so that this new concept of the comsmmer is avle to seimulate markrt opening and varlety mf rupplu agd generate more competitiveneas and grfatcr competitiog.
We qlso believe that lack of openness in the market in consumer credit iw most apparent frok the usury vhat evists and the transfer to the black market of s whole range of possjble atd pohential consumers who do not find in the banks and financial institutes tye varmeey of offer theu neeg.
Wz akso bejievx vhat - in relation to mortgage credit, for example - evaluadijn is needed. We are not agaimsg the idea of extending the 1987 directivs to morygage credit also. We have tablec an amendment on this tmat leavew the questpkn open and would asl our eolleatues in the other groups to smpport it. Ae ace csking them to support the Commiswion's udfa.
Mr President, I wish to enf by mzking w couple of impodtanf poinjs. We would asl that the Houxe support the amendkegts concerning nhe standardieation ox contracts xith a view do a self-regulating code of
will act as an incentive and a producers who will to make an level, innovate and be A broader range supply and greater competition will mean consumers are given real freedom of choice between several products and therefore the of exerting an influence on the supply-side and on the development of the Currently, is apparent citizens who enter into contact with the banks and financial institutions have difficulty in evaluating the services on offer. That is why consumers must for and obtain all of information; they must learn make choose, avoid and their commitments. Transparent behaviour clear statements of conditions are, in the final analysis, needed to secure both the protection of the vulnerable consumers all, market That why are drawing attention number of crucial points in our concept of the consumer, for instance, broader than contained in corpus of European law and that able to cover all - including small businessmen who find themselves at a disadvantage in relation to the financial institutions, at the very as Community consumers find in relation to financial Of we not wish revolutionize the concept of consumer as such, but we believe that is an important and substantial point which may properly be the sector of consumer And that is why have tabled an amendment which ask Members that new of the consumer is to stimulate market opening and of supply and generate We also believe that lack of openness in market in consumer credit is most apparent the usury that exists and the transfer to the black market of whole range and potential consumers who do not find in banks and financial institutes variety of offer they need. We also believe that in to mortgage for example - is needed. We not against the extending the directive mortgage have tabled an amendment on this leaves question open and would ask colleagues other groups to support it. We are asking them to support the Commission's idea. Mr wish to end by a of important points. We would ask that the House support the amendments standardization of contracts a code of
 will act as an incentive and a sTeer to prodUcers TheMseLvEs, whO wilL need to make an eFFort, Including at an economic lEvel, tO iNNovaTE aNd be cReative. a BrOADer RaNgE of SuPPlY and gReaTer compEtition wilL meAn That consumerS ArE given real FreEdom of choice BetWeen seVeRal PRoducTs aNd theRefore THe possIbility of ExERting aN InfluenCE On The sUpply-side and on the DEvELopment of the maRket.
CuRrENtLY, It iS quIte apparenT tHat ciTIzens whO EnTER IntO Contact with thE banks and fiNAncIal insTiTutIOns havE diffIcULty In evaluatinG the Various seRvices ON offer. THAt is why ConsumErs MusT ask FOr AnD obTaIN alL SoRts OF inFormatioN; tHeY must LearN TO MAke cOmpArisOns, chOose, avoid exceSseS and PLan Their Own coMmitMeNts. TrAnsparEnt beHaViour and clear stAtemEnts of conDitIoNs aRe, In the FInal anAlySis, Needed tO secure BOth ThE PROtEction of the more vulNeRABlE consumeRs and, aBOvE aLL, market eFfIciEncy.
tHAt is wHy we ARe Drawing aTtentiON tO a Number oF cRucial PoIntS in Our rePOrt. A New conCept of thE consUMer, for instance, BRoader than thaT CoNTAiNEd in The Corpus of EurOpeaN Law aNd thAT iS abLE to coVer alL - iNClUDing small businessmeN - wHo find ThemsElves at a disadVantage in rELATion to thE finANcIAl institutions, At the Very same diSAdvantagE as CoMmunity cOnsumers fIND themselVes In rElaTioN TO tHe financial inSTItutIoNs.
Of couRse, We do not WisH to RevOluTiOnize the cOncept of CoNsUmEr As sUch, buT We believE tHat ThIs iS an imPOrtant And suBstaNtIaL PoiNt which MAy PROperLy Be RelaTed To The spEcifIC seCtor of cOnsumer crEdiT. and tHaT iS why we hAve recently taBlEd an amendmEnT whIch we wOULd ask honOurable Members to support SO that thIs nEw conCept Of the consUmeR is ablE to STimulaTe markEt opeNiNg aND VarieTY Of SupPlY and generaTE MorE compEtItivEness anD greater competitioN.
we aLso believe thaT laCk of OPEnNesS In THe mArKEt iN COnsumer credit is Most appareNt FRoM the usury tHAt eXiSts and tHe transFer to THe black Market of a Whole rangE oF posSIBle And potentiAl consumErs who do nOT find IN tHe banKs aNd finaNcIal InstiTutes tHE vaRiety Of offeR tHey neeD.
We alSo Believe tHat - in relation to mortgage Credit, For exAmpLe - evaluatIon IS neEded. We are Not aGainst the iDea Of eXtendIng THe 1987 dirEctiVE tO moRTgage CredIT also. We haVE tAblED An Amendment on THIS thAt leaVes THe quesTion Open and would ask ouR Colleagues in thE othER GroUps TO supPoRt it. We are askinG thEm TO Support tHe commission's Idea.
Mr PrEsIDent, I Wish to End by mAking a cOUPlE Of impoRtanT poInts. We wouLd aSk THat the HOuSe SUpport The aMeNdmentS conceRNing THE standardization Of conTRActs wITh a View tO a Self-regULatiNg code of
 will act as an incentiveand a stee r topro duc er s th emse lves, who will need  to make an effort, in cludi ng at a n  e conom ic leve l ,t o  in no va tean d  b e cre ati ve. A b roader ran geof  supply andg re ater compe tit ion will mea n t hat co ns ume r s are  gi ven r eal fr e edom o f choicebe t ween s e veral p r o du ctsand therefore the po s sibility of ex erting  a n  i n f lue nce  on the su pp ly-si d e and o n  t h e dev e lopment of th e market.
C u rre ntly,it  is quiteappar en t  th at citizens  who  enter in to con t act wit h  the ba nks an d f ina ncia l  i ns tit ut i ons ha ved iff iculty i nev aluat ingt h e vari ous  ser vices  on offer. Th atis w h y c onsum ers m ustas k for  and o btain  a ll sorts of inf orma tion; the y m us t l ea rn to make c omp ari sons, c hoose,a voi de x c es ses and plan their  o w n  c ommitmen ts. Tr a ns pa r ent beha vi our  and c learstat e me nts of c onditi o ns  a re, inth e fina lana lys is, n e eded  to se cure bot h the protection oft he more vulne r ab l e  c o nsum ers  and, above  all ,  mar kete ff ici e ncy.Thatis wh y  we are drawing att en tion t o a n umber of cruc ial points i n  our rep ort. An ew concept ofthe c onsumer, f o r instan ce, b roader t han thatc o ntainedinthe  co rpu s of  European law a nd t ha t is ab leto cove r a ll- i ncl ud ing small  busines sm en  -  w hofindt hemselve satadis advan t age in  rela tion  t ot hefinanci a li n stit ut io ns,atth e ver y sa m e d isadvan tage as C omm u nity  c on sumersfind themselv es  in relati on  to  the f i n ancial i nstitutions.
Of course, we do n otwishto r evolution ize  the c onc e pt ofconsum er as  s uch , but w e be lie ve  that this i s a n imp or tant  and su bstantial point wh i chmay properlyberela t e dtot he spe ci f ics e ctor of consume r credit.An d  t hat is why weha ve rece ntly ta bleda n amend ment whic h we woul daskh o nou rable Memb ers to s upport so thatt hi s new  co nceptof  th e con sumeri s a ble t o stim ul ate ma rketop ening an d variety of supply and  gener ate m ore  competit ive n ess  and grea tercompetitio n.Wealsobel i eve t hatl ac k o f  open ness in the ma r ke t i n co nsumer cred i t ismostapp a rent f romthe usury that ex i sts and the tr ansf e r  to  th e  bla ck  market of a w hol er a nge of p os sible and p otential  c o nsume rs who  do no t findi n  t h e bank s an d f inancialins ti t utes th eva r iety o f of fe r they  need. We a l s o believe that -  in r e l ation tomortg ag e credi t , fo r example- evaluatio n is n eede d. We  are no tagains t t he  idea of e x tending t he 19 87 dire ct ivetomortga ge c r e dit a lso.  W e h ave table d an am en d men t on  this  t hatleaves th e  questio n o p en andwo uld a sk our co l l eagues inthe  othe r groups tos uppo r ti t. We  are a skingthem to sup po rt theCom m i ssion's i dea.
Mr P r esi de nt,I wish t oendby  ma ki ng a couple ofimportan t points . We wou lda sk t h at the  H ouse support  theam e ndments c onc erningt hesta nda rdiz ati on o f  contracts with a view t o aself- r egu latin g cod eof
 will_act as_an incentive and a_steer to_producers_themselves, who_will_need to make_an effort, including_at an economic level,_to innovate and_be_creative. A broader range of supply and greater competition will mean that consumers are_given_real freedom_of_choice_between several products and therefore_the possibility of exerting an_influence on_the supply-side and on the development of the_market.
Currently,_it is quite_apparent that citizens who enter into contact with the_banks and financial institutions have difficulty_in evaluating the_various_services_on offer. That is_why consumers must ask for and_obtain all sorts of information; they_must learn to make comparisons, choose, avoid_excesses and plan their own commitments._Transparent behaviour and clear statements_of conditions_are, in the final analysis,_needed to secure_both the_protection of the_more vulnerable consumers and, above all,_market efficiency.
That is_why we are drawing attention to_a_number of crucial_points_in_our report._A new concept_of_the consumer,_for_instance, broader than that contained in_the_corpus of European law and that is_able to cover all_-_including small businessmen -_who find themselves at a_disadvantage in relation to the financial_institutions, at_the very_same disadvantage as Community consumers find themselves in relation to the_financial institutions.
Of course, we do not_wish to revolutionize the_concept of_consumer_as such, but_we_believe that_this is an important and substantial point_which may_properly be related to the specific_sector of consumer credit._And_that is why we have recently_tabled an amendment which we would_ask honourable Members to support_so_that_this new concept of the_consumer is able to stimulate market_opening and variety_of supply and generate more competitiveness and_greater_competition.
We also believe that lack of_openness_in the market in consumer credit_is_most_apparent from the usury that_exists and the transfer to the_black market of a whole range of possible and_potential consumers who_do not find in the_banks_and_financial institutes the variety of offer they need.
We also believe_that -_in relation to_mortgage credit, for example - evaluation is needed. We are_not against the idea of extending the_1987 directive to mortgage credit also. We have tabled an amendment_on this that leaves the question open and_would ask our colleagues in the other_groups to support it._We_are asking them to support the Commission's_idea.
Mr_President,_I_wish to end_by making a_couple of important_points. We_would ask that_the House_support the amendments_concerning_the standardization of contracts with a view to a self-regulating code of