Thesis Is Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Cardiff Metropolitan University for the Award of the Degree of Phd by Research
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A Critique of Trading Standards in Wales – Post-devolution Developments and Prognosis Huw David Evans LLB, Solicitor (non-practising), PGCE (PCET) This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Cardiff Metropolitan University for the award of the Degree of PhD by Research July 2020 Supervised by Dr Alan Sandry (Director of Studies), Dr Vitti Allender and Dr Ruth Fairchild Acknowledgements Thank you to those who participated in the study. I am indebted to everyone for their contributions. It never failed to surprise me how willing people were to share their time and knowledge. I am also indebted to my Director of Studies, Dr Alan Sandry, and to my other supervisors, Dr Vitti Allender and Dr Ruth Fairchild, for their enthusiasm, guidance and wise counsel throughout. They have been immensely supportive. I must also acknowledge Dr Sandry’s excellent overall supervision of the project. Thanks also to work colleagues who have been unfailingly supportive in helping me manage my PhD effort while balancing that with ‘day job’ commitments. I am particularly grateful to Dr Lalage Sanders who, as Graduate Studies Coordinator, was extremely helpful in getting things started. Finally, and in no way least, I extend my gratitude to my wife, Christine, and children, Jonathan, Rebeca and Steffan, for their on-going support (and good-humoured tolerance) throughout my period of study. This has been greatly appreciated. Without it, I am not sure I would have completed this thesis. ii Abstract This thesis investigates and critically evaluates Trading Standards (TS) delivery in Wales. TS enforces law to promote fair trading. It is delivered through local government in Great Britain. Successful enforcement protects legitimate business and consumers from economic and other detriment. Although not taken forward, the catalyst for the thesis was a 2011 Welsh Labour Party National Assembly for Wales (NAW) general election pledge to ‘seek to establish a national [TS] service’ for Wales. Chapter 1 explains the thesis’ rationale. Chapter 2 considers the research strategy, design and implementation. Chapter 3 places TS in a critical theoretical framework, which includes reference to the rule of law, human rights and justice, and, in Wales, the promotion of well-being. Chapters 4 to 9 constitute the Literature Review. Primary research involved semi-structured interviews, surveys of candidates standing at two sets of elections (to the NAW and the office of police and crime commissioner), and Freedom of Information Act requests to local authorities in Wales concerning a TS specific issue. Chapter 10 presents interview findings; six overarching themes emerged (including low TS profile and the damaging effects of reduced resourcing). Chapter 11 presents the surveys’ findings; overall TS has low- profile and its recognition was confined to consumer protection. Chapter 12 findings concern the specific Wales TS issue and, again, suggest that TS has low profile. In Chapter 13 it is argued that there are significant failings in TS delivery and that, although not devolved, TS can contribute to devolved government. As TS is not devolved, Welsh Government can only undertake a limited review of TS delivery; undertaking such a review is the first recommendation. The UK Government is not so restricted and there is a second recommendation that it undertakes a fundamental review of TS (including considering whether the TS classification should be retained and, if not, how the constituent parts should be divided), with a further recommendation for a consequential review dependant on the fundamental review outcome. iii List of Contents Declaration and Statements ....................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... ii Abstract ................................................................................................................................... iii List of Contents ......................................................................................................................... iv List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................... xi List of Primary Legislation ....................................................................................................... xvi List of Subordinate Legislation ................................................................................................. xix List of European Union Subordinate Legislation ....................................................................... xxi List of Cases .......................................................................................................................... xxiii List of Treaties, Conventions etc. ........................................................................................... xxiv List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ xxv Chapter 1 – Introduction ............................................................................................................1 Aim and Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 1 Thesis Structure................................................................................................................................ 1 Rationale for Thesis ........................................................................................................................ 2 What is TS and Who Delivers It? ............................................................................................... 2 Why has TS Been Chosen? ........................................................................................................... 5 Why is the Focus on TS in Wales? ................................................................................................ 5 Chapter 2 - Research Strategy, Design and Implementation .........................................................8 Category of Research ...................................................................................................................... 8 Legal Research .............................................................................................................................. 8 Social Research ........................................................................................................................... 10 Research Strategy ......................................................................................................................... 10 Research Validity ............................................................................................................................ 13 Research Design Category: Case Study .......................................................................................... 14 Aim and Objectives, and their Revision ......................................................................................... 15 Research Methods ......................................................................................................................... 15 Ethics .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Edward Dienar and Rick Crandall principles ............................................................................... 20 Economic and Social Research Council principles, ..................................................................... 21 Legal Context .............................................................................................................................. 21 Ethics Approval ........................................................................................................................... 22 FOIA 2000 ................................................................................................................................... 23 Secondary Data Gathering and Processing .................................................................................... 23 Primary Data Gathering and Processing ........................................................................................ 24 Interviews ................................................................................................................................. 24 iv Interview Data Analysis .............................................................................................................. 25 NAW and PCC Candidate Surveys: Data Gathering and Processing ............................................... 27 NAW Candidate Survey .............................................................................................................. 28 Party Manifestos ........................................................................................................................ 28 Follow-up.................................................................................................................................... 29 PCC Candidate Survey ................................................................................................................ 29 Surveys’ Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 29 FOIA 2000 Data Gathering and Analysis .......................................................................................