§ Mr. J. Howardasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he is making in his consultations with the interests concerned about the proposed weights and measures regulations based on the Hodgson Committee's report.
§ Mr. J. RodgersThe statutory consultations undertaken in connection with the proposed Regulations have revealed many practical difficulties in framing workable Regulations under existing legislation, as well as gaps in our knowledge about what the consumer really wants. My right hon. Friend has therefore arranged for a Social Survey to explore the habits and needs of consumers in present conditions, which have changed in some ways since the Hodgson Committee collected its evidence. In the light of the Survey, it may prove that the best course is to proceed direct to a Bill which can cover the whole field including enforcement, non-food stuffs and wholesale transactions.