XN000022-1972-11-29 — Page 18

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Wednesday, November 29, 1972

ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS

The law in Hong Kong already provides adequate protection for

consumers in regard to food and drugs and some other items, and very few

complaints have been received from the public about these goods.

This was stated by the Director of Commerce and Industry, the

Hon. David Jordan, at today's Legislative Council meeting when replying

to a question by Dr. the Hon. S.Y. Chung.

Mr. Jordan said the imposition in Hong Kong of safety and health

standards would involve detailed protection legislation and an organisation

of inspection and testing facilities to give practical effect to the provisions

of the legislation.

"There would be substantial difficulty in determining what the

standards ought to be for the many products which would have to be brought

under control," he said.

Mr. Jordan said the commercial problems could also be severe and

standards would have to be applied whether the goods were imported or made

locally.

He was aware of increased public pressure in many countries for

action to protect consumers against accidents arising from the sale of faulty

products, particularly those sold for children.

But, he explained, even in these countries, very few national

standards have been given legislative authority.

"In Britain,