HC Deb 28 July 1975 vol 896 cc1270-2
6. Mr. Neubert

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he plans to attend the Association of British Travel Agents convention at Miami Beach in the autumn.

Mr. Deakins

I have no plans to do so.

Mr. Neubert

While I understand the Minister's natural anxiety that a journey to Miami Beach at this time might be misinterpreted, may I ask whether his failure to go is perhaps rather due to his unwillingness to face the full force of the resentment of retail travel agencies at their exclusion from representation on the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency? Will the hon. Gentleman comment on their threat not to co-operate with the Court Line liquidator, and report on progress in making repayments to holidaymakers who lost their cash last year?

Mr. Deakins

I am aware that the retail agents are at the receiving end of complaints from last year's disappointed holidaymakers, and I have every sympathy with them. It is our task as a Government Department and the task of the Association of British Travel Agents to work together as speedily as possible not only with the trustees of the respective bond moneys but with the new Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency to ensure that payments are made as speedily as possible. Nevertheless there have been some legal complications, which I mentioned in my Press statement in May. I am hopeful that they can be overcome in the next few weeks.

Mr. Dykes

Does the Minister approve of the ABTA meeting in Miami, bearing in mind the foreign exchange costs? Presumably the customers of the industry will be paying for the visit and convention. Is that something that the Minister thinks to be a good idea? Why should it not meet at Bournemouth, Scunthorpe, Blackpool or even Harrow?

Mr. Deakins

I remind the House that a number of bodies, political bodies included, always prefer to hold their annual conference at places such as Blackpool. Whilst it is not for me to contrast the delights of Blackpool with those of Miami Beach, the location of its annual conference is a matter for the association to decide. I understand that it is not unusual for the ABTA convention to be held overseas.