been put back due to a poor response from the public and organisations.

Originally people had until today to register submissions to the consumer protection committee.

But chairman Sir John Plowman said last night the deadline is being extended to the end of the month due to the poor response.

"I don't know why. The consumer affairs bureau seems to get a lot of calls, but people have not come forward to us,'' he said.

"I am not so much disappointed as surprised, because I think people do not realise that consumer protection is needed.'' The Government-appointed committee is examining the need for more consumer protection legislation and has met with a series of organisations and studied laws in other jurisdictions, including the UK and some US States.

It was formed early last October with a mandate to review product safety, unfair practices, misleading advertising, trade descriptions and debt collection.

The committee is due to submit a report to the Community and Cultural Affairs Ministry by mid-April and Sir John said yesterday it was unlikely the report would be delayed.

"Submissions from organisations and the public are just part of a lot of information we are collecting,'' he said. "I don't expect the report to be late.''