§ Mr. Milneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the discussions between his Department and the Association of British Travel Agents and the Travel Trade Association.
§ Mr. MasonNo. It is not the practice to make public the records of discussions with trade associations.
§ Mr. H. Hyndasked the President of the Board of Trade if, following the action of the Association of British Travel Agents, which will confine the organisation and retailing of inclusive tours to places outside Great Britain to tour operators and travel agents in membership with them, he will refer the travel industry to the Monopolies Commission.
§ Mr. MasonOn the information I have at present, I do not think that such a reference is called for. The Government's main concern in this matter must be the interests of the travelling public. The Association defends its scheme on the ground that it is necessary to support the rescue fund set up to protect customers against losing the holidays that they have paid for. The Association states that it has no intention of excluding from membership financially sound firms with experienced staff. If, however, the Association's scheme were to show signs of developing in any direction which on balance appeared to me undesirable, I should need to reconsider the possibility of a reference to the Monopolies Commission.