back to menuIt was interesting getting behind the scenes in the House of Lords in March. In order to deliver the exhibition unit to be used for the reception, pictured above, I had to drive my car into Black Rod's Garden which is the vehicle entrance to the House of Lords. The security was tight, with much attention given to what was underneath one's vehicle.
Once inside it was all very friendly. The staff were helpful and the refreshments first rate. Our reception room opened onto a marquee on the terrace. There was an interesting case of waterborne lobbying going on while we set up the display unit. Outside on the Thames a barge containing a giant hoarding depicting rows and rows of dead mink was being towed back and forth in full view of anyone looking out from the Parliament buildings, exhorting them to vote to abolish the fur trade. However, before Parliament was due to sit, a river police launch arrived and escorted the tug and barge away.
The House of Lords has its own shop. It sells House of Lords Whisky and Wine, chocolates and baseball hats and a number of other souvenirs of the upper chamber, all rather expensive, but unique. One wonders whether there will be a cut price sale some time in the future.
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Brian Locke, Science and Technology Network Leader, contributed the following from an ex colleague of his, Ken Willis:
An American High School Student organised a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical 'dihydrogen monoxide" for the very good reasons that:
Out of 50 people asked, 43 were horrified and wanted the chemical banned, 6 were undecided and only one knew it was water.
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Diana Whitworth, the Head of Public Affairs at the National Consumer Council, has left to become Chief Executive of the Carets' National Association. We are sorry to see her leave the NCC, where she has been of considerable assistance to us, and for which she has our grateful thanks. We must, however, welcome her new appointment to the Association at a time which is crucial to Carers and those for whom they care. The Government announced on February 8th that they were bringing in steps to alleviate the lot of those who unselfishly look after family members and, on March 1st., the Association launched an assessment programme for Carers.
Interestingly, many of those who responded to our survey of the role of Consumer Consultation in the 21st Century mentioned their concern about the situation of Carets. Could there have been a judicious leak in the Government's direction?
Welcome to our newest Corporate Associates - The Direct Marketing Association, British Brands Group, and American Express Services, Europe, Ltd. Sue Payne has written about British Brands, and her article will appear in the next issue of Consumer News. Mercator Ltd., producers of Snap Survey Software, has also become a Corporate Associate, and NfCG, using a DTI grant, has bought enough copies of their programmes - at a very advantageous price - to be able to offer a copy to each Group, together with a day's training at their Bristol HQ. Details from Dick Mackie. ~. The programme was demonstrated to NfCG at the recent London meeting, a report of which will appear in the next issue.
I have recently been to several bs4fet lunches on behalf of NfCG. These are awkward affairs where you ave a plate, a glass and not enough hands to actually get at the food. e best one was that put on by MAFF for the Food Network meeting in March. The House of Lords refreshments were good, but it was the friendly an helpful staff taking it round that made it special. I still think that the sandwiches I bring from my local Safeway to NfCG committee meetings take a lot of beating for variety, freshness and flavour!
As part of the DTI capital grant we have been able to purchase a quantity of high quality CDs as a picture library for Consumer News. They are copyright free and will enhance the presentation of information on these pages. However, there is no substitute for personal pictures, so keep them flowing along with your contributions.
Thank you all for these contributions. In the next issue there will be several reports of interesting events which have taken place recently. Our Honorary Secretary spoke to a large group of Japanese students and has sent me her report via the Internet. Stuart Coverley has been given, as a Christmas present, a digital camera, and the possibilities of this are just starting to emerge. Truly we live in interesting times!
As ever, please send contributions to me, John Brown, at No 6 Priory Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DAl 2BE. You can phone or fax me on 01322 280673 or e-mail me on john.brown6@virgin.net. The closing date for contributions to the June/July edition is May 15th, so put pen to paper, or attack the keyboard, as soon as you can.
The material contained in Consumer News may only be reproduced by federated groups unless otherwise indicated. The articles do not necessarily represent the views of the National Federation of Consumer Groups, its Groups or its members.
Consumer News - Published bimonthly by:
The National Federation of Consumer Groups,
527 Leeds Rd, Scholes, Leeds LS15 4DA
Tel/fax: 0113 264 8341, E-mail: nf.cg@virgin.net
ISSN 1354-1196
National Federation of Consumer Groups NfCG was founded in 1963.
Patron: Lord Young of Dartington
President: Baroness Wilcox of Plymouth
Vice Presidents: Lord Borrie of Abbots Morton
Lord Ezra of Horsham, Janet Graham MBE
David Hatch CBE Hamish Henderson John Hosker
Gerry Lanchin Cynthia McDowall MBE Tom Miller
James Woodward-Nutt
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