Consumers need ‘to know rights’

Press, 17 May 1978, Page 5

Consumers need ‘to know rights’

There is an urgent need for Government protection of consumers’ rights, says Mrs Ann Hercus, the Labour Party candidate for Lyttelton. “Labour’s proposal of a small, high-powered Minis* try of Consumer Protection would give the consumer a much-needed single, powerful voice,” she told a meeting of the Addington-Spreydon branch of the Labour Party. “A small, effective Ministry, headed by a Minister of Consumer Protection, would look after the needs of consumers at both Government level and in the market place,” Mrs Hercus said. “Many consumers with a genuine grievance save

great difficulty in finding the right place to get help and advice. Consumers cannot use their legal rights if they do not know of their existence.” Mrs Hercus also spoke of the need for a con* sumer rights campaign, similar to the one run by the last Labour Government.

“Much more could be done to support consumers in the community. Labour will support the work done by the Consumers’ Institute and by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, to enable com-munity-based organisations to make advice and support more readily available, and publicised,” she said.