THE government today promised action to protect people from "rip-offs," but while any action on behalf of consumers is welcome, this seems largely to consist of first finding out if they are being stung in comparison to those overseas.

But, surely, the case that they are is over. Retailers and manufacturers have been found guilty in countless independent surveys.

Now is not the time for more, but for deterrent penalties that bring prices - from supermarkets and electrical stores to clothes shops and car showrooms - plunging at last.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.