§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the result of the Price Commission investigation of higher levels of food prices in Scotland; and whether
£ Prices Acts 1974 and 1975, section 1 609,000,000 Food subsidies; expenditure to 31st October 1975. Prices Acts 1974 and 1975, section 1 750,000 Food subsidies administrative expenditure to 31st October 1975 (estimated). Prices Acts 1974 and 1975, sections 2 and 4 1,500,000 Enforcement of Consumer Protection Legislation by local authorities (borne on the rate support grant). Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975. 300,000 Cost to 31st October 1975 of the nationalised industry consumer councils transferred to Department of Prices and Consumer Protection on 1st August 1975. No identifiable expenditure has yet been incurred under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 or under the DPCP Circulars 4/75 and 9/75 inviting local authorities to put forward proposals for local price surveys and for the establishment or expansion of consumer advisory centres.
The local authorities are not involved in the administration of food subsidies or of the nationalised industry consumer councils. They are responsible for enforcement of Section 2 of the Prices Act, and this is allowed for in the rate support grant; the effect on staff requirements is not known.