§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will publish details of the boards, commissions, committees or other types of organisations established by his Department since October 1974, giving in each case the purpose of the organisation, the chairman's and members' salaries and expenses, and the total cost of the organisation for each year since 1974.
§ Mr. MaclennanI give below the information so far as it is available. Bodies which were both established and wound up since 1974 have not been included.
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Body Established Purpose Membership and remuneration Expenses Total costs Advisory Committee on the Safety of Household Electrical Equipment. April 1975 To advise the Minister of State on his responsibilities in relation to the safety of domestic electrical equipment, with particular reference to the Administrative Guidance to be issued by his Department from time to time concerning the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations. 14 members (all unpaid) … … 1975—£305 1976—£56
1977—£56
(b) Electricity Consumers' Council November 1977 To consider any matter affecting the interests of consumers of electricity in England and Wales and to make representations to the Secretary of State on any matters which have been considered by the Council. Chairman £2,000 p.a. 23 members (all unpaid)*
… … Not yet available Inquiry into Motorway Service Areas. November 1977 Set up jointly with the Department of Transport to consider and report on how far the present facilities and services available at motorway service areas meet the convenience of motorway users having particular regard to price, quality, variety and effective competition; and what further provisions should be made for the convenience of travelers, bearing in mind road safety and any other relevant matters. Chairman 8 members (all unpaid)
… … … … Not yet available National Consumer Council. May 1975 To represent the consumers' interests in all quarters, and to consider and report on the consumer interest in matters specifically referred to it by Government. The Scottish and Welsh Consumer Councils perform the same functions in their respective countries. Chairman £4,084 p.a. Vice-Chairman £3,912 p.a.†
15 members £750 p.a.‡
… … (a) Total cost of public funds of the National Consumer Council and the Scottish and Welsh Consumer Councils: 1974–75 … £500
1975–76 … £320,000
1976–77 … £452,000
1977–78 … £521,000
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Body Established Purpose Membership and remuneration Expenses Total costs Scottish Consumer Council. September 1975 — Chairman, £750 p.a. 12 members, Fee paid (£18 per day)
… … (a) See National Consumer Council above. Welsh Consumer Council. July 1975 — Chairman, £750 p.a. 11 members, Fee paid (£18 per day)
… … (a) See National Consumer Council above. Tate and Lyle Consumer Safeguards. June 1977 Set up jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to investigate any complaints referred to it by the customers of Tate and Lyle since their merger with Manbre and Garton Ltd., and to report to Ministers. Chairman 6 members (all unpaid)
… … … … All expenses are paid by Tate and Lyle There are no costs to public funds. * The members include the 12 Chairmen of area Electricity Consultative Councils who are paid £2,100 p.a. in that capacity. † Also Chairman of Scottish Consumer Council. ‡ Includes Chairman of Welsh Consumer Council. (a) Travel and subsistence expenses incurred directly on the business of the organisation are normally reimbursed at the rates applicable to senior Civil Servants. The annual total of expenses reimbursed is not readily available. (b) The total costs are mainly, if not exclusively, the expenses of the members, together, in certain cases, with the cost incurred by officials in providing a secretarial information on which is not readily available.