HC Deb 22 October 1979 vol 972 cc18-9
14. Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that his Department is kept sufficiently well informed of consumer views.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

As I announced recently, I am taking steps to broaden the base from which information is drawn about consumer views and interests.

Mr. Grant

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there has been a plethora of consumer advice from many diverse sources, ranging from the Office of Fair Trading and citizens advice bureaux which are very good, to bodies such as the National Consumers' Council, which is pretty useless, and that the public are beginning to get confused? Will my right hon. Friend consider consolidating all that activity in one body, perhaps a jazzed-up citizens advice bureau?

Mrs. Oppenheim

I am sorry to disappoint my hon. Friend, but that is not something which I am considering at present. However, I am pleased that I have been able to widen the constituency from which I can draw information about consumers by adding to it many hundreds of thousands of consumers in women's institutes and the National Union of Townswomen's Guilds. Labour Members who sneer at those bodies are insulting many of their own constituents. These are commonsense, down-to-earth ladies. I am extremely grateful for their support and help.

Mr. Pavitt

Will the right hon. Lady show a little more compassion in considering the consumer views that are sent directly to her? Does she recall that I sent to her the case of a small phial needed by cancer sufferers who have a colostomy? She gave me the dusty answer that, although the price had increased by 70 per cent., competition would bring the price down. Is she not aware that in that commodity there is no competition? Will she do her homework a little more effectively?

Mrs. Oppenheim

I remember the hon. Gentleman's letter, but he will be aware that it is not possible for me to intervene in individual cases, however sympathetic I may feel towards them.