HC Deb 29 November 1972 vol 847 cc150-1W
65. Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will advise local authorities to establish consumer affairs bureaux which would have the responsibility not only to giving general advice to shoppers, but would also act as a medium for conveying complaints about breach of the prices standstill to regional offices of Government Departments.

Sir G. Howe

I welcome the contribution which local authorities can make to consumer protection and am considering the scope for expanding local consumer advisory services; I am not, however, satisfied that a general system of this kind is appropriate to the circumstances of the current prices standstill.