§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Minister for Trade if he has any plans to replenish the air travel reserve fund following the Laker claim, either through the reinstatement of the levy on package tours or by requiring larger bonds from tour operators; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SproatI have no present plans to reinstate the levy. However, in its last annual report, the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency drew attention to the future viability of the fund and added that a report on the matter had been commissioned. I understand that Sir Kenneth Selby, the agency's chairman, will shortly be putting to me his views on the report's proposals and I shall wish to discuss these with the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority who is responsible for the licensing and bonding of individual air travel organisers. I also understand that Sir Kenneth is unlikely to recommend reinstatement of the levy.