§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what functions, regulated by her Department, are carried 68W out by United Kingdom local authorities; and if she will list the Acts under which these functions are performed.
Mr. Alan WilliamsLocal authorities carry out functions arising from the following Acts which are the responsibility of my Department:
Metrology
- Weights and Measures Act 1963.
- The Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1975 made under the European Communities Act 1972.
Consumer Safety
- Consumer Protection Acts 1961 and 1971.
- Fabrics (Misdescription) Act 1913.
- Home Safety Act 1961.
- Section 21 Explosives Act 1875—Registration of premises on which fireworks are kept.
Fair Trading
- Trade Descriptions Acts 1968 and 1972.
- Consumer Credit Act 1974.
- Prices Acts 1974 and 1975.
- Hallmarking Act 1973.
§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the total full-time and part-time staff and their full-time equivalents employed by local authorities in England and Wales in consumer advice bureaux and consumer protection services.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThere are no national figures of staff employed by local authorities on consumer protection services which enable a breakdown to be given along the lines requested by the hon. Member. Figures that are available are not directly comparable, since there are differences in the ranges of functions undertaken in the appropriate departments of individual local authorities. However, we understand that their estimate of total staff employed on these functions in England and Wales in the first half of 1975 was around 3,400.
§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer protection if she will publish for the years 1974–75 and 1975–76 the total cost of consumer protection services provided by local government.
Mr. Alan WilliamsFigures for local authority current expenditure on consumer protection in England and Wales are as follows:
69W
£m. 1974–5 (At outturn prices) 13.3 1975–6 (Estimated at November 1975 prices) 18.7
§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many local authorities have agreed to participate in the price comparison surveys; and what is the total expenditure to date.
Mr. Alan WilliamsAgreement has been reached with 59 local authorities to run 196 price comparison schemes, and further approvals are expected shortly.