§ Mr. Percivalasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the number of staff employed, by, giving separate figures for executive and clerical staff in each case, and the annual cost of running, the Monopolies Commission, the Price Commission and the Office of Fair Trading, respectively.
§ Mr. John FraserThe number of staff employed at 31st March 1976 in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and the Price Commission was respectively:
equivalent figures for his office were:
Executive Officer and above Clerical Officer and below Total 178 153 331
§ Mr. John FraserI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the National Consumer Council and not to the Consumer Council which was disbanded in 1971. The costs to public funds of the National Consumer Council are £500 in 1974–75 and £320,500 in 1975–76. The estimated cost for 1976–77 is £450,000. The figures for 1975–76 and 1976–77 include the costs of the Scottish and Welsh Consumer Councils.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will give details of the 75W work undertaken by the Consumer Council in the last two years which is distinct from the work done by the Office of Fair Trading, the Nationalised Industries Consumers Committee, the Consumer Association or the Citizens Advice Bureaux; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. John FraserI am asking the Chairman of the National Consumer Council to write to the hon. Member giving details of the council's work. The council has made a distinct and important contribution on all matters which it has considered. I am confident that it will continue the role foreseen in the White Paper (Cmnd. 5726) of making the consumer voice properly heard at national level.