Diners should complain more in restaurants

The body was formed by the UK Government 15 years ago to promote the interests of consumers, particularly the disadvantaged within society.

Mr Millar said Scots just do not complain enough.

He said that the old attitude that it is unseemly to complain has held Scots back for too long.

This reluctance to take issue with poor quality has led to unacceptable standards of service - particularly in restaurants and hotels.

He said it was time that Scots started to challenge bad workmanship, complain about poor service and return shoddy goods.

He also expressed concern that the views of consumers were not being taken into account by Scotland's biggest organisations.

Singling local authorities and water companies out for criticism, he said that these bigger bodies simply paid lip service to the views of the very people who were using their services on too many occasions.

Putting barriers in the way

He expressed particular concern about the huge increases in water charges which had been introduced without customers having the chance to challenge them.

But a leading behavioural expert said the Scots had not always been so reticent about coming forward to complain.

Dr David Weeks, of Edinburgh Royal Hospital, said: "What I understand in history books is that the last time Scotland had a parliament citizens could be quite vocal and vociferous and outspoken to their public representatives."

The SCC has previously criticised local authorities over the education of children at home.

In July it accused councils of putting barriers in the way of those who wanted to educate their children at home and said some had demonstrated a "we know best" attitude.

But the report was attacked by local authorities who described it as "flawed" and accused the SCC of taking a one-sided view.

The SCC has also recently warned retailers that online shopping will not expand in Scotland unless customers can be reassured about security and quality.