HC Deb 06 March 1978 vol 945 cc451-2W
Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what assistance he has given to date to enable the advice centre operated by Walsall District Council and the shoppers' shop operated by the West Midlands County Council to continue; and what financial aid he would be prepared to give Walsall District Council to assume the responsibilities for running the county's shoppers' shop.

Mr. John Fraser

My Department made a grant allocation of £50,300 for the financial year 1977–78 to meet all the eligible running costs of the Walsall Shoppers' shop operated by the West Midlands County Council. This centre closed on 28th February. I have approved a grant of £3,700 to Walsall District Council to meet the capital costs of opening a new shoppers' service, and the Department intends to meet all the eligible running costs of this project during the financial year 1978–79.