HC Deb 22 January 1993 vol 217 c488W
Mr. Stern

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proposals he has to alter the basis of funding the trading standards service;

(2) if he will institute an inquiry into the extent to which the trading standards service is fulfilling the functions for which it was set up;

(3) if he will make a statement on increasing central co-ordination of the trading standards service;

Mr. Leigh

I keep the funding and performance of the trading standards service under review and, together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for the Environment, have given, and will continue to give, careful consideration to the service in the context of the review of local government. There are at present no proposals for action on the lines suggested by the hon. Member. However, if he has any concerns about the service, the noble Baroness Denton of Wakefield, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, will be pleased to consider them.

Mr. Stern

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to publish a charter for the trading standards service.

Mr. Leigh

I have been asked to reply.

I keep the funding and performance of the trading standards service under review and, together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for the Environment, have given, and will continue to give, careful consideration to the service in the context of the review of local government. There are at present no proposals for action on the lines suggested by the hon. Member. However, if he has any concerns about the service, the Noble Baroness Denton of Wakefield, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, will be pleased to consider them.