Lord Chelwoodasked here Majesty's Government:
To what extent confusion over the variety of glass sizes used in selling wine by the glass has been removed as a cause of public concern by the introduction by the trade over two years ago of a voluntary code of practice intended to ensure that in the Department of Trade's view "customers buying wine by the glass will know how much wine they are getting for the price the pay", and what action they now propose.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)A local authority survey conducted last summer showed that 43.4 per cent. of premises visited were using glass sizes agreed in accordance with the provisions of the voluntary code of practice: 16.2 per cent. of premises were clearly indicating both quantity and price to enable consumers to make value-for-money comparisons of wines offered for sale by the glass.
While this represented an improvement over the previous year, nevertheless compliance has not been as widespread as had been hoped. The Government are therefore considering whether further action is called for.