§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the performance of the trading standards branch in Northern Ireland outlining the plans he has for expanding the service, enhancing its profile or increasing its responsibility or powers.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe trading standards branch of the Department of Economic Development performs a valuable service in promoting and maintaining standards of fair trading in Northern Ireland to the benefit of both consumers and reputable traders. Twenty-three trading standards officers and six enforcement officers are employed in the branch and a further three trading standards officers are undergoing training.
Increased enforcement responsibilities will result from the implementation of European Community directives and national initiatives over the next three years. The need for additional resources will be kept under review.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the budget for the trading standards branch in the current year and each of the past three years specifying its distribution among offices and their respective staffing levels.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information requested is set out in the table:
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Offices 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 Budget £ Staff Budget £ Staff Budget £ Staff Budget £ Staff Specialist Fair Trading 42,220 3 58,097 3 66,595 4 85,964 4 Armagh 44,814 3 44,600 3 43,105 3 63,469 4 Ballymena 44,717 3 45,496 3 44,637 2 54,477 3 Coleraine 24,948 2 27,291 2 28,526 2 33,486 2 Enniskillen 24,865 2 26,674 2 29,751 2 34,502 2 Londonderry 50,626 3 50,589 3 61,940 3 60,866 3 Newry 25,418 2 26,462 2 28,747 2 33,993 2 Total 811,003 50 887,773 52 983,462 52 1,119,124 52 1 Includes all centrally borne branch costs.