INDUSTRY AND TRADE
a function-orientated to an overall case management approach in order to streamline procedures and improve efficiency.
Consumer Council
Established in 1974, the Consumer Council is the statutory body charged with protecting and promoting the interests of consumers of goods and services. The council comprises a chairman, vice-chairman and 20 members appointed by the Governor from a wide cross section of the community. It has an office, headed by a Chief Executive, with a staff establishment of 107. It is a council member of the International Organisation of Consumer Unions.
The council provides a comprehensive consumer protection service embracing con- sumer representation and legislation, advice and complaints, research and testing, and information and publications. It maintains close liaison with the government through the Trade and Industry Branch and is consulted on major policies affecting the interests of the consumer public. It is represented on many committees dealing with specific consumer issues and concerns. Its head office was relocated to new premises which it bought this year.
To cope with an increasing demand for its service and a changing environment, the council has to focus its resources on the areas of work that will best benefit the consumer in the years ahead. Four broad areas were identified for special attention. They include monitoring monopolistic tendencies in the marketplace and their impact on the livelihood of the ordinary consumers, and trade practices which leave consumers in a weak bargaining position. The council remains an active ally of environmental protection and green consumerism, and the international consumer movement.
The Consumer Council continued its efforts to safeguard the interests of property buyers. For example, the council investigated consumer grievances relating to the practices of estate agents and studied whether and how to regulate estate agent practices. For the first time, it named specific developers and sales agents for the significant difference between the gross and saleable floor areas of the properties sold by them. In addition, it is devising ways and means to hold developers liable to purchasers for the rectification of defects in new buildings and to extend such defect liability period from the existing six months to a more reasonable length of time following occupation.
The Council's efforts in the field of consumer product safety are beginning to bear fruit. In June 1992, the legislation requiring registration of electrical contractors and workers in order to enhance the safety of fixed electrical installations was implemented. Legislation governing the safety of toys and children's products is now being processed in the Legislative Council. In addition, the council is helping to examine legislating controls on consumer products safety.
The council's call to improve consumer representation and consultation in the provision of public utility and public transport services was well-received and a number of these companies have set up consumer consultative groups or the likes. To counter the excessive speculation in the public tender for taxi licences and to encourage ownership by bona fide taxi drivers, the council proposed a relaxation of restriction on the number of licences issued and a tightening of the free transfer of licences. In addition, the council recommended changes to the motor insurance industry, including the scrapping of the basic tariff rate set by the Accident Insurance Association and a review of the basic
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