§ 27. Mr. Gregoryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the sums expended by Government and local authorities, respectively, in the enforcement of consumer protection legislation for each year since 1983.
§ Mr. HowardThe expenditure by Government and local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland on the enforcement of consumer protection legislation was £60.9 million in the financial year 1983–84; £65.6 million in 1984–85; and is estimated at £72.6 million for 1985–86.
It is not possible accurately to divide the funding for consumer protection between central and local government because the allocation of the rate support grant to services is for the local authorities to decide, but on aggregate about 46.5 per cent. of local authorities' relevant expenditure is met by Exchequer grant.