HC Deb 24 November 1975 vol 901 cc460-2
4. Mr. Wyn Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated expenditure per 1,000 population of the Welsh counties on consumer protection and trading standards compared with: (a) the English shire counties and (b) English metropolitan counties.

Mr. Alec Jones

Provisional consumer protection statistics for 1975–76 were published in the November issue of the County Councils Gazette. These showed estimated net expenditure per 1,000 population of approximately £363 for English counties, £452 for metropolitan counties and £552 for Welsh counties.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Minister aware that, according to the County Councils Gazette, staffing costs and establishment expenses rather than sparsity of population account for the substantially higher cost of consumer protection in Wales? Does he agree that he should look into the matter urgently in view of the Prime Minister's recent statement that there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians in local government? Finally, will the Minister accept that this is one increase in local government costs that is not due to local government reorganisation?

Mr. Alec Jones

The hon. Gentleman should read the County Councils Gazette. He will see that it advises that all people who read it should treat the figures in that report with extreme caution. This is, first, because of the short time during which these consumer departments have operated, and, secondly, because there is no uniformity in the responsibilities exercised by the different consumer departments of local authorities. We re-regard these measures as an important element in our counter-inflation strategy. I give the hon. Gentleman one example where the Government consider that the scheme is beneficial. The Mid-Glamorgan authority has advised us that during the first eight months of this year it estimated that action in the Aberdare area saved consumers £15,000.

Mr. Bates

Will my hon. Friend accept the congratulations of an English Member on doing so well for Welsh as opposed to English consumers? Does he expect the position to improve or deteriorate as a result of devolution?

Mr. Alec Jones

I am pleased to receive my hon. Friend's congratulations. He may be rather diffident because the English authorities seem to have been somewhat laggard in this connection. I assure my hon. Friend that we see no prospect of any deterioration in the service when there is a Welsh Assembly.