§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what complaints, in the last 12 months, have been drawn to his notice about difficulties experienced by holidaymakers on inclusive tours overseas; and what estimate he has made of the total number of such holiday visits.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantIn 1970 we received about 120 complaints concerning various difficulties experienced by British holidaymakers on inclusive tours overseas of which 50 related to tours to Oberammergau arranged by one tour operator. In the same period there were some 4.8 million visits abroad, excluding visits to the Irish Republic, by United Kingdom residents on holiday. Of these some 2.7 million were estimated to be inclusive tours.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the complaints since 19th July about accommodation overseas booked by British travel organisations, and in view of the failure to resolve many of these complaints, what representations or discussions he has had with travel agencies, tour operators and consumer organisations; what recommendations have come out of these discussions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI have not had any discussions with these organisations but I am aware of the action taken by the Association of British Travel Agents to resolve the recent difficulties which have occurred in Spain.