§ 1. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the contribution of after-sales service to the export drive and to general consumer satisfaction, his Department refused to be represented at the First Annual Conference of Service Managers on 2nd May and 3rd May in Birmingham.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody)Attendance at every conference of interest to the Board of Trade would require extra staff. But if there were to be another conference of this kind and we were invited, I should certainly consider whether we could be represented.
§ Mr. RobertsWould my right hon. Friend accept that a conference of this type is extremely important, not only in terms of consumer satisfaction, but also because of its particular contribution to the second, if not the third, sale in the export drive? Is she aware that I am glad that she is to reconsider this matter, and that I hope that for the second conference the Department will be represented?
§ Mrs. DunwoodyWe would all agree that it is essential to have an adequate after-sales service, and anything which contributes to a greater knowledge of the necessity for consumer protection is to be welcomed.