WOMEN'S INSTITUTE MARKETS

Early day motion 1189, tabled 24 April 2002 by David Laws (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 100 members.

That this House congratulates Women's Institute markets for providing a vital service to local communities by allowing people to buy and sell fresh, locally produced food grown in a sustainable manner; is very concerned that the registration fees for markets organised by local branches have increased 10-fold from ú25 to ú240 per year since the Financial Services Authority took over responsibility for their regulation; notes with dismay that it could force many Women's Institute markets to cease trading; further notes that the flat registration fees for the local Women's Institute branches that run markets are now the same as for large financial friendly societies; and calls upon the Financial Services Authority to significantly reduce the registration fees for Women's Institute markets.

Signatures by party: Conservative 32, Liberal Democrat 30, Labour 24, Labour/Co-operative 10, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.