HL Deb 04 June 1992 vol 537 cc1020-2

3.11 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter asked Her Majesty's Government:

What impact they consider the proposed EC directive on package holidays would have on school exchanges and twin town visits; and whether they will seek either amendment of the directive or a derogation for the United Kingdom.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)

My Lords, most school exchange visits would not be affected as they do not constitute packages as defined in the directive. Town twinning visits are also usually organised by volunteers who act as agents for the individual customers. In these cases they, too, are unlikely to be organisers as defined in the directive, and the requirements of the directive will not apply to them. Therefore, I see no need to seek any amendment.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I am much obliged to my noble friend for that reassuring Answer. I take it to mean that the proposals, whatever their merits in other directions may be, will not affect either school exchange visits or representatives of towns with twinning arrangements. Can my noble friend confirm that that is right?

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, the proposals will not affect these two areas because those arranging such visits usually act as agents for the school or the group of town people and then request organisers to deal with the package.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, will the noble Baroness please inform the House what advantages the Government consider will accrue to the United Kingdom if the proposed directive comes into operation? If they do not see any particular advantage to the UK, will the noble Baroness ensure—or ask her right honourable friend to ensure—that the directive is returned to the Commission with the request that the Commission itself may perhaps take a package holiday?

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, I do not feel that this is the time in European matters for me to be quite as assertive as the noble Lord asks. Perhaps I may say more seriously that the Directive was adopted unanimously. We believe that buying a package holiday is very important for many people. They buy "off paper" and such a holiday constitutes a great deal of pleasure in their lives. The Directive offers protection to the customer and we are delighted to support it.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, the noble Baroness has confirmed, as I suspected, that the Directive has already been approved and therefore there is no question, as the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, requests, of there being either an amendment or a derogation for the United Kingdom. Can the noble Baroness therefore tell us when the Department of Trade and Industry will issue the appropriate regulations, primary legislation, or whatever is required, to put the Directive into United Kingdom law? What is the timetable on that? Secondly, are the Government satisfied that in the case of all people taking package holidays, whether they come from schools or elsewhere, that if travel companies go bust there are satisfactory arrangements for people to get their money back?

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, I am delighted to reassure the noble Lord that the answer to the latter part of his question is the purpose of the Directive. I am also pleased to say that we know of no instance where a British tourist on a foreign package holiday has in the past lost money. However, we are very conscious of the costs this Directive could have put on independent travel operators—those offering greater choice than the normal package—and there has been considerable consultation by the department. The Directive will be in force by the end of this year.

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, can the Minister tell the House whether the Directive has anything to say about the insurance of children on school exchanges? Is she aware that in recent years there have been some pretty horrific accidents on school exchanges? That is the most serious effect. Is she also aware of the considerable evidence that teachers are now very reluctant to become involved in school exchanges for that reason?

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that this is a matter of great concern, but it is outside the scope of the Question and the Directive.