Catalogue description Records of the Consumer Council

In 1959 the President of the Board of Trade appointed the Committee on Consumer Protection, chaired by Sir Joseph Molony, to report on merchandise and trade marks and upon desirable measures for improving protection of the public. Following recommendations in the committee's final report of July 1962 (Cmnd 1781), a Consumer Council was established in March 1963, as a non-statutory body appointed by the President of the Board of Trade.

The council's terms of reference, expressly based upon the Molony report, were 'to inform itself about the consumer's problems and about matters affecting his interests; to consider, after consultation where necessary with other affected interests, the action to be taken to deal with such problems, or to further or safeguard such interests, and to promote that action; to provide advice and guidance for the consumer, in particular through the citizens advice bureaux and other appropriate organisations, and by its own publications; to publish an annual report'.

It was not intended to handle comparative tests of specific products, to pursue individual complaints, or to take legal action. The council carried out its functions by promoting legislation, by direct approaches to suppliers, and by publicity of all kinds.

In 1970, the council's subsidy was cancelled and its last meeting was held in February 1971. In October 1974 a National Consumers' Council, virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor in constitution and function, was established under the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection.