24
INDUSTRY AND TRADE
considered were satisfactory explanations from the traders. With the exception of 53 cases in which the council was unable to take further action, the remainder were found to be groundless or outside the council's terms of reference.
In addition to reporting facilities at its main office, the council operates pilot advice centres in two city district offices. In their first three months the two centres handled 1,581 enquiries for information or advice and received 350 post-shopping complaints.
The council maintains a close watch on the prices of essential commodities and services. Its research section produces regular price surveys and in-depth reports on the supplies and trade patterns of various food and other commodities, and it studies topics of major concern to the consumer. One of the 33 research projects carried out by the end of 1976 dealt with the problem of the conversion rate between Hong Kong dollars and the pound sterling for British textbooks. The council recommended that the conversion rate be reduced by $3 to $13 to the pound. This was accepted by the book publishers in June 1976, bringing considerable savings in textbook ex- penditure to thousands of students.
A standing Consumer Legislation Committee advises the council on legislation needed to give more and better protection to the consumer. A Trade Descriptions Bill has been prepared to replace the Merchandise Marks Ordinance and a new Weights and Measures Ordinance is being drafted. At the government's request, the committee has submitted a report on hire-purchase.
The council's public relations section maintains close contact with the local mass media in educating the public on their rights and responsibilities as consumers. In schools, consumer education was incorporated into the syllabus of social studies for Form III in 1975, and the council has since been preparing teaching kits for both teachers and students. In August 1976, the council organised a seminar on consumer education, which was attended by some 150 principals of secondary schools or their deputies.
In November, the council began publishing and selling a magazine called 'Choice' to replace a four-page monthly bulletin which had been available free to the public since August 1975. The 16-page magazine, printed in Chinese, includes a monthly report on comparative product testing conducted by the Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre. The magazine also carries comparative price survey reports.
Apart from co-ordination work with various government departments, the council has established close contact with 18 business and professional associations, with a view to encouraging them to establish voluntary codes of practice which will benefit the consumer. The Consumer Council is an associate member of the International Organisation of Consumers Unions.
Trade Marks and Patents
Trade marks are registered under the Trade Marks Ordinance, which is based on the Trade Marks Act 1938 of the United Kingdom. The procedure is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free of charge