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Consumer Advice Centres And Price Survey Schemes

Volume 923: debated on Monday 20 December 1976

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31.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many consumer advice centres have been opened and price survey schemes have now been commenced.

To date, 113 consumer advice centres have been opened and 290 price survey schemes are in operation.

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, but 1 ask him to suggest what advice the consumer advice centres can give to consumers in view of the rise in food prices as a result of action by the European Economic Community and the withdrawal of food subsidies.

There are things which price surveys can do. They can give information to consumers about where the cheapest goods within a range are available.

The cost altogether is about £3 million in a full year for consumer advice centres and price surveys. I was saying that price surveys can indicate to consumers where the cheapest goods are available in a range. The surveys show that there are considerable variations. They enable competitors to fight harder in favour of the consumer.