HL Deb 29 November 1979 vol 403 cc490-2

3.26 p.m.

Baroness ELLIOT of HARWOOD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to establish closer and more direct contact with consumer views and interests, and how they plan to extend the range of consumer choice.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs has indicated her intention to broaden the base of consumer consultation by forging more effective links with organisations with a large membership of consumers. The Townswomen's Guilds, Women's Institutes, and in Scotland, Women's Rural Institutes have already been asked for their views on specific matters. The Government's policies to strengthen competition will have a marked and beneficial effect on consumer choice.

Baroness ELLIOT of HARWOOD

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord very much for that reply. I hope that he will be successful and that he will extend as far as he possibly can inquiries to all organisations dealing with consumer affairs. I am quite sure that in that way there will be a good response and also good replies which will serve a useful purpose. I hope that this will continue and that many more people will become interested in that way.

Baroness PHILLIPS

My Lords, I should like to ask the noble Lord why his right honourable friend selected only two women's organisations. There are a very large number of women's organisations which have a very useful contribution to make. It is rather hard on the rest of them when they constantly see the Government always going to the same two groups.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, these mere two organisations specifically concerned with women's interests but, of course, all the bodies which my right honourable friend consults have some women on them and the views of women are taken very much into account as regard these matters.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his reply to the House is a load of balderdash? Is he further aware that the Government's policy, financial and otherwise, has acted so far completely against the interests of consumers? Is he aware that the Government's policy has at last forced the formation of a housewives union? Is he further aware that there is a rumour that the Prime Minister is applying for membership?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the noble Lord says that my answer is balderdash—so is his supplementary.

Lord ORAM

My Lords, are not the Government, in fact, taking steps in the opposite direction from that suggested by the noble Baroness, as they are with-drawing the funds which supported consumer advice centres.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, it is true that those funds have been withdrawn, but the same funds have been redirected to other consumer bodies who we think will be more effective.

Lord ORAM

My Lords, with reference to the women's organisations, is it not the fact that the Co-operative Women's Guild has a long-standing interest in consumer protection, and would it not be appropriate to consult them?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, they have been consulted.