ENG-1977 — Page 53

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INDUSTRY AND TRADE

industrial development of Hong Kong. It is active in promoting new product develop- ment and has held an annual Hong Kong New Products Award Competition since 1970. It also takes a keen interest in industrial training and runs a prevocational school.

Consumer Council

The Consumer Council was established by the government in April, 1974, and became a statutory body in July, 1977, with the enactment of the Consumer Council Ordin- ance. It protects and promotes the interests of consumers of goods and services.

The council comprises a chairman and 12 members - all appointed by the Governor from a wide cross-section of the community. The executive director of the council is an ex-officio member. The council maintains an office with a staff of 43 and is financed by subventions from general revenue.

During 1977, the council received 4,594 complaints. There were relatively fewer complaints about excessive pricing and price differentials between shops, but com- plaints about household products - especially electrical appliances and services increased. Traders on the whole were co-operative and it was possible to obtain reasonable and satisfactory redress to most consumers with genuine complaints. A number of cases that the council was unable to settle satisfactorily were resolved after consumers were advised to approach the Small Claims Tribunal.

The council's consumer advice centres dealt with about 1,000 inquiries a month in 1977. These centres offer pre-shopping advice on either goods or services or on the provisions of laws that protect the interests of consumers. The advice includes product information; precautions to be taken; pitfalls that may be expected in certain trans- actions; and reference to other government departments or to trade or commercial organisations that might have some specialised knowledge on a particular_subject. The centres also receive complaints.

The council conducts regular price surveys and in-depth studies into areas of concern to consumers. During the year, two reports were completed and submitted to the government about hire purchase transactions and the sale and purchase of flats. In June, the council set up two legislation sub-committees to study the safety and health aspects of consumer products. An ad hoc committee formed to study complaints alleging malpractices by travel agents was preparing its final report.

Since November, 1976, the council has conducted tests on various consumer goods to establish their performance, quality and value. This information is published, together with the brand or manufacturer's name, in the council's monthly magazine, Choice. During the year, tests were carried out on kerosene cookers, laundry deter- gents, men's shirts, multiple adaptors, toilet rolls, corn oils, instant noodles, electric fans, sunglasses, toilet soaps and electric water heaters.

The council maintains contact with the local mass media in educating the public on consumer matters and on their rights and responsibilities as consumers. Following the inclusion of consumer education in school social studies syllabuses, the council, in conjunction with the Education Department, produced a teaching kit to help disseminate consumer knowledge among students. In November, the council organised its second annual consumer education seminar, which was attended by some 300 people, including educators and trade representatives.