§ 24. Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the code of practice being negotiated with the holiday caravan industry.
§ Mr. TebbitMy right hon. Friend is awaiting the reactions of the site operators to the changes which she has suggested to the draft code of practice. Meanwhile, as my hon. Friend may be aware, Government amendments to the Competition Bill which have been accepted in the other place will extend the provisions of the Competition Bill and of the Fair Trading Act to holiday caravan sites.
§ Mr. LeeWhat steps does my hon. Friend propose to take about some of the malpractices on caravan sites and similar places of which the general public complain?
§ Mr. TebbitAs I explained, a draft code of practice has been put by the trade to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs. She, in turn, has suggested changes that might be made to deal with the complaints. The ball is in the court of the trade, and I hope that we shall shortly receive its proposals. In the meantime, the Competition Bill will extend the rights of customers on caravan sites.
§ Mr. John FraserWill the hon. Gentleman ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate some of the worst 20 practices when the Competition Bill becomes law?
§ Mr. TebbitWe have not yet arrived at that point, but certainly my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. However, I think that it would be best to wait until the Bill becomes law.