§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the purpose of the review group on consumer affairs; and what savings are expected in the consumer councils and the Transport Users Committee.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe review group on consumer affairs will be invited to examine and report on the existing arrangements for consumer protection in Northern Ireland, and to make recommendations for arrangements most appropriate to Northern Ireland, taking account of the need to provide a cost-effective service which offers a standard of protection for consumers in the Province comparable to that in the rest of the United Kingdom. It is too early to say how the cost of any new arrangements which might emerge would compare with the cost of supporting the existing bodies.