Areas of particular importance to the Group are:

• shops and businesses including nationally advertised and mail order services:

• prices, trading practices,

• compliance with the law and with codes of practice

• Services provided by local authorities:

• waste collection and cleansing, libraries, traffic control and planning, street lighting, road and pavement maintenance, recreational facilities, welfare services, public transport, public information

• area-based or national services:

• utilities, transport systems, health services, the police

• government and EC legislation:

• their proposals and decisions as these affect consumers.