asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any plans for the provision of financial aid by way of grant-in-aid to consumer associations willing to assist in the work of price surveillance; or if he will sponsor the creation of a national body for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Protection.
2.
Mr. R. Burke
I am considering the setting up of a National Consumer Advisory Council to represent consumers generally. One of the matters on which I would hope to have the advice of this Council is the means by which the Government can encourage the activities of voluntary bodies in the field of consumer protection including price surveillance. Until I have received the Council's advice, I shall take no decision on what these means should be.
3.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his Department have received the text of a Consumer Protection Charter containing 28 Articles recently adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; and, if so, if he proposes to accept and apply it.
Mr. R. Burke
I have received the text of this Charter. I am in general agreement with the principles which it sets out, and shall take it into account in considering future consumer protection legislation. As I have indicated in reply to previous questions, I shall not make any detailed decisions until I have the result of the National Prices Commission's examination of the whole field of consumer protection.