HC Deb 01 December 1980 vol 995 cc10-1W
18. Mr. Bowen Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when next he plans to meet the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss consumer issues.

Mr. Trippier

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when next he plans to meet the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss consumer issues.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

My right hon. Friend and I meet the director general whenever this is desirable. I met him last on 5 November and I intend to do so again next month.

24. Mr. Waller

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what meetings have taken place between European Economic Community Ministers on matters relating to consumer affairs.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

There have been no recent formal Council meetings specifically to discuss consumer affairs. As I made clear in a speech at a consumer affairs conference in Paris in October, I believe that consumer Ministers should meet informally more often to consider in outline Commission proposals for legislative action long before they have crystallised into detailed and complex proposals for Council directives. I have already taken the opportunity to visit and discuss these matters with Ministers of some member States and it is my intention to meet Ministers in other member States as soon as possible.