HC Deb 30 January 1978 vol 943 cc19-21
18. Mr. MacGregor

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he is satisfied with the distribution of central Government expenditure as between consumer advice centres and citizens' advice bureaux.

Mr. John Fraser

Whilst my Department keeps all its expenditure under regular review, I am satisfied that the present distribution of Government expenditure gives a proper level of assistance to both these services.

Mr. MacGregor

Does the Minister agree that citizens' advice bureaux cover a much wider range of subjects, including consumer affairs, than consumer advice centres and that they perform a particularly valuable service in county areas where often there are few other sources of advice available? As about 50 per cent. of their inquiries are now central Government oriented, will he consider again whether, out of the resources available, more should be concentrated on citizens' advice bureaux and rather less on consumer advice centres?

Mr. Fraser

I pay full tribute to the services provided by citizens' advice bureaux. Indeed, I regret that some local authorities should have cut back on assistance to them. But £1.4 million a year is provided from central Government funds with a good deal of assistance from local authorities, which is 61 per cent. grant-aided. I keep the level of assistance to these bodies under review.

Mr. Whitehead

Do not questions such as that of the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) throw a smokescreen over the wilful disregard of the value of consumer advice centres shown by Conservative-controlled local authorities, such as the one in Derbyshire, which has axed them against the advice of the Department? Will my hon. Friend condemn that practice?

Mr. Fraser

I have condemned and deplored that practice. It does not save the ratepayers any money. It is an act of political vandalism. Indeed, some local authorities have practised the same economy upon CABs.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Is the Minister aware that citizens' advice bureaux carry out a traditional first-class service over a wide area, as my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) pointed out, and that consumer advice centres are a waste of money? The BBC has a weekly "Food basket" which is extremely useful. Therefore, it is unecessary to set up consumer advice centres throughout the country.

Mr. Fraser

The citizens' advice bureaux service deeply regrets the cutback on the CACs.