HC Deb 23 April 1963 vol 676 cc8-9
13. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress he has made in setting up the Consumer Council, and give the names of those members so far appointed.

38. Mrs. McLaughlin

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now announce the members he has appointed to the Consumer Council; and when the Council will have its first meeting.

Mr. D. Price

I would refer the hon. Members to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Oram) on 9th April. The date of the Council's first meeting will be for the Chairman to decide in consultation with the other members.

Mr. Irving

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Consumer Association has condemned the inadequacy of the Govment's proposals as a possible set-back to the consumer movement? Is it not clear that, in watering down the original proposals, the Government have shown that they do not take either consumer information or consumer protection seriously? Will not he ask his right hon. Friend to scrap the present proposals and set up a Department of Government and a Consumer Council with real teeth so that we can adequately protect consumer interests?

Mr. Price

The hon. Gentleman is way off the ball. He is expressing opinion, not fact. There is no chance that what is proposed will water down the proposals of the Molony Committee as to the type of consumer organisation. The Molony Committee did not recommend a special Department of State to deal with consumer interests.

Mr. Irving

The Committee recommended that there should be a more adequate Consumer Council with full-time representation, and the Government have now abandoned that idea. Is not this a departure from Molony and the original proposals?

Mr. Price

The Molony Committee did not recommend that members of the Council should be full-time.

Mr. Emery

Does my hon. Friend realise that a number of consumers are only too delighted that this should not be in the hands of Government Departments but dealt with by an independent committee? Is he further aware that many of us on these benches wish Baroness Elliot and her Committee every success in keeping it out of Government control?

Mr. Price

I am sure that there is a great deal of wisdom in what my hon. Friend says.