HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc476-7W
Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what steps he is taking to safeguard consumers' interests in packaging.

Mr. Maclennan

A working party containing representatives of industry, environmentalists and consumers was established under the aegis of the Waste Management Advisory Council specifically to draw up a voluntary code of packaging practice. It has held a number of meetings and is now engaged in wider consultations with a view to publishing a code or set of criteria for packaging relating, amongst other things, to economy in the use of materials, the adequacy of the protection of contents, convenience of handling by the consumer and the elimination of misleading and wasteful packaging. It is envisaged that a supervisory organisation will receive and handle complaints from the public. I am hopeful that these efforts will soon bear fruit to the benefit of consumers.