Wednesday, March 27, 1974
CONSUMER COUNCIL TO BE SET UP
Financial Secretary Emphasises Need For Direct Consumers Representation
The government is taking the initiative to help set up a Consumer
Council as quickly as possible in an attempt to prevent profiteering.
Winding up the budget debate, the Financial Secretary, the
Hon. Philip Haddon-Cave, announced that Executive Council's advice would
be sought within the next week as to how such a council might be established,
what its role should be, how it should operate, and what form government
assistance should take.
Mr. Haddon-Cave noted that Hong Kong now clearly felt the need
for a Consumer Council and he was sure that private individuals would
have little difficulty in obtaining the support they would need. For
its part, the government was ready to help such a body get off the ground
"with the speed the public mood demands."
The Financial Secretary's personal and preliminary views were
that the Governor should appoint a nucleus of a chairman and a few other
members (all unofficials) whose initial task would be to advise on further
membership. It should include persons with the necessary expertise as
well as others able to represent directly the views of consumers.
"At the