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INDUSTRY AND TRADE
The council, which comprises a chairman and 14 members, is appointed by the Governor from a wide cross-section of the community. The executive director is an ex-officio member of the council. The council maintains an office with a staff of 48 and is financed from general revenue.
During 1978 the council received 5,948 complaints, representing an increase of 29 per cent over the figure for the previous year. Complaints were mostly about the quality of commodities sold and services rendered, over-charging, misrepresentation and late delivery, covering many household products, electrical appliances, photo- graphic and sound equipment, and travel services.
The council's three Advice Centres dealt with about 1,400 enquiries a month by individual consumers during 1978. Advice was mostly concerned with pre-shopping consultation, particulars about individual types of products and their availability, and so on.
The council conducts regular price surveys and research projects into areas of in- terest to consumers. During the year, reports were submitted to the government on the truncation of films by film distributors and on the operations of travel agents in Hong Kong. An ad hoc committee formed to study the charges of funeral homes was preparing a final report. A survey on the use of the metric system of measurement in consumer activities was conducted by the council on behalf of the Metrication Committee.
The council has continued to conduct tests on various consumer goods to assess their performance, quality and value for money. The results of the tests are published in the council's monthly magazine, Choice, which is becoming increasingly popular. During 1978, tests were carried out on cameras, milk products, oyster sauce, soy sauce, air-conditioners, ball-point pens, typewriters, tea bags, water heaters, light bulbs, dry cell batteries, emulsion paints, and other items.
In consultation with the Education Department, the council produced materials for consumer education in schools, and these are now used in the social studies syllabus of some schools. The council maintains constant contact with the news media to educate the public on consumer matters and on their rights and responsibilities as consumers. In December, the council organised its third annual consumer education seminar, which was attended by some 400 people.
Apart from co-ordination work with various government departments, the council continued to encourage business and professional associations to establish voluntary codes of practice for the benefit of the consumer. The Consumer Council is a council 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 United Kingdom Trade Marks Act 1938. The procedure is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free from the Trade Marks Registry, Registrar General's Department. Every mark, even if already registered in Britain or any other country, must satisfy all the requirements of the Hong Kong Trade Marks Ordinance before it may be accepted for registration. During 1978, 4,162 applications were received and 1,632, including many made in previous years,