HC Deb 16 June 1959 vol 607 cc216-8
7. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the composition of the Committee appointed to consider the whole question of consumer protection.

25. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a further statement on the Committee on Consumer Protection.

32. Mrs. McLaughlin

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the composition of the Committee appointed to consider consumer protection has yet been decided; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. J. Rodgers

No, Sir. After consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, invitations have been sent to a number of people to serve on the Committee, and my right hon. Friend hopes to announce the membership of it shortly.

Miss Burton

Can the Parliamentary Secretary help us a little further? Can he give any idea to those on this side of the House, because we seem to be particularly interested in the matter, when it will be useful to table further Questions?

Mr. Rodgers

I think that hon. Members on both sides of the House are equally interested in the subject of consumer protection. When we have the acceptances I will let the hon. Lady know.

Mrs. McLaughlin

Will my hon Friend tell us what the terms of reference of this Committee are likely to be? A great deal of interest has been generated on this subject in the country and many people are anxious that the terms of reference should be as wide as possible.

Mr. Rodgers

The terms are wide. They were announced to the House by my right hon. Friend in answer to a previous Question and I will show them to my hon. Friend later, if I may.

Mr. Willey

Can the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that, in addition to full consultation with the various trade organisations and associations interested, there will in any cast, be adequate consumer representation on this Committee?

Mr. Rodgers

The aim is to include on the Committee people with special knowledge and experience of shopping and all shopping matters. It is for the Committee itself to say from which organisations it will take evidence when it meets.

Mr. Willey

We are concerned about the membership of the Committee. Will he assure the House that there will be adequate representation of people with expert knowledge about this? In the membership of the Committee, will there be adequate consumer representation?

Mr. Rodgers

We have not consulted these bodies about the actual membership, but we have carefully considered that point.