§ 26. Mr. Milneasked the President of the Board of Trade what talks have taken place with the Chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents following his request for further steps to be taken for the protection of holidaymakers; and what adjustments and additions are required to "Operation Stabiliser" in the light of this request.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu)I have not asked the Association to take any such further steps, as I informed my hon. Friend on 14th June A.B.T.A. are keeping us informed of its ideas and possible extensions of "Operation Stabiliser".[Vol. 748, c. 77.]
§ Mr. MilneIs my hon. Friend aware that those who deal in other people's holidays are handling a precious commodity? 2104 Is he further aware that the Chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents in recent weeks has expressed some disquiet about happenings in the trade, and that, while the Association has done an excellent job in trying to eliminate the bad travel agents, there nevertheless remains quite a big job to be done during the present summer and for the future?
§ Mr. MallalieuI think that I accept everything which my hon. Friend has said. A.B.T.A. itself is at the moment considering the possible extension of some changes.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorWill the hon. Gentleman give every encouragement to the efforts of A.B.T.A. to protect holidaymakers, as several Scottish Members have experience of their constituents with one particular company having to pay twice and being booked to come back home in a plane which was not paid for by the firm?
§ Mr. MallalieuYes, I will.
§ Mr. Will GriffithsReverting to my hon. Friend's original Answer, is he satisfied with "Operation Stabiliser"? Does he think that everything possible is being done to protect the holidaymaker up to now?
§ Mr. MallalieuI could not say that everything possible is being done, which is why the scheme is being looked at again to see what possible extensions can be made, but "Operation Stabiliser" marked a very big advance.