§ 13. Mr. Molloyasked the Paymaster-General if she is satisfied with the present arrangements for the operation of consumer consultative machinery; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. HartI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to consumer consultation in general, rather than to the arrangements within any particular field which may be the responsibility of one or other of my right hon. Friends. My inquiries so far suggest that there are wide variations both in the adequacy of the machinery and in the extent to which it is used effectively both by consumers and by those consulting them. I intend to study and discuss these further.
§ Mr. MolloyMay I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the Adjournment debate which took place last Thursday and ask her whether she is prepared to consider ways of increasing public awareness of this service, especially at local level?
§ Mrs. HartI regard the communication of effective information as essential to the successful operation of any form of consumer consultative machinery and I shall certainly bear in mind the points made by my hon. Friend during the Adjournment debate to which he referred.