§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will increase financial resources to local authorities to allow greater involvement of trading standards officers and departments in supporting the community with advice and assistance and fairly enforcing trading laws and consumer protection measures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThe rate support grant for Wales includes an element for the local authority trading standards service. This provides adequate resources for the enforcement of trading standards and consumer protection legislation.
I have no plans to amend the 1988–89 rate support grant provision which allowed for a nominal increase in consumer protection provision over the previous year of 7.4 per cent. My proposals for local authority relevant expenditure and grant in 1989–90 were announced to Parliament on 7 July. My view of service priorities for 1989–90 will be formally set out in the rate support grant report to be published later in the year. It is, however, entirely for local authorities to allocate block grant to particular services in accordance with their own priorities.
In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry funds the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux which provides the necessary support services for local citizens advice bureaux in England and Wales. Citizens advice bureaux, most of which receive financial support from local authorities, provide advice and assistance to local communities throughout Wales. I see no reason to alter these well established arrangements.