Shops and Banks (Opening Hours)

HC Deb 09 May 1969 vol 783 cc145-6W

Mr. Whitaker

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will set up an inquiry in conjunction with the Consumer Council to consider whether the present opening hours of shops and banks are those best possible for the majority of consumers.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

No. As part of their normal function the Council informs itself of consumer opinion, and makes whatever representations it thinks necessary to the responsible authorities. It commissioned a survey of private bank-

United Kingdom ports of exports and imports to and from each of the following areas, respectively, for each of the past five years, namely, the scheduled territories, Canada, Rhodesia, the European Economic Community, the European Free Trade Association, the United States of America, Japan, the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, South America, and the rest of the world.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

The following is the information:

account holders' views at the end of 1968.