A draft law to protect people sold sub-standard goods and services doesn't go far enough, senior backbench MPs said yesterday.

The business, innovation and skills select committee called on ministers to make changes to the Consumer Rights Bill before Parliament debates it.

People currently spend over 59 million hours a year dealing with problems involving sub-standard goods and services they have bought.

But the proposals - intended to streamline eight existing pieces of legislation - "do not offer sufficient protection for the consumer," said committee chairman Adrian Bailey.

The legislation will cover downloaded internet services as well as goods.

The committee identified inconsistencies in the proposed legislation which it says mean customers would have the right to a refund if they bought a faulty CD but not if a downloaded version of the same music did not work.

MPs were also sceptical about plans to require traders that have breached consumer law to compensate people, warning it is unlikely that public authorities would have the time and money to pursue the cases.

"Currently, victims of consumer law breaches only rarely gain redress," Mr Bailey said.

"Criminal prosecution of the offender may discourage illegal practice but it does little to help the consumer who has lost out."

The legislation proposes a 30-day deadline for returning faulty goods and getting a full refund.