§ 33. Mr. Doddsasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to encourage the maximum success of the British Standards Institution's publication, "Shopper's Guide," which gives advice to shoppers on the merits and failings of consumer goods.
§ 70. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the possible enlargement of the grant made to the British Standards Institution; and whether any additional sum is now given for the work of its Consumer Advisory Council and the publication of "Shopper's Guide."
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)The general grant to the British Standards Institution will in the 1958–59 financial year probably amount to £150,000, an increase of £10,000 on the current financial year's general grant. In addition to this general grant, the Board of Trade has in the current financial year given the British Standards Institution £10,000 specifically for the extension of its work on consumer protection: this now includes "Shopper's Guide." It is for the Institution to decide the best way of promoting the success of this publication. 882 I cannot make any statement about renewal of the additional grant.
§ Mr. DoddsI thank the Minister for that Answer, but is not he aware that in one way and another the consumer is getting a very bad deal in this country? Does the Minister think that we will get a reduction short of having a Minister of Consumers' Welfare?