§ 17. Ms. Rachel SquireTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current shortfall in the number of trading standards officers; and what estimate he has made of its impact on the consumer protection service.
§ Mr. LeighThe total number of trading standards officers in post in local authorities at 1 April 1992 was 288 below complement. This is a shortfall of 15 per cent. The size of the shortfall and its impact varies from authority to authority.