§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he is satisfied with the operation of the bonding system to protect holidaymakers by the Civil Aviation Authority; what checks are made to ensure that there has been no material change in a tour operator's circumstances; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if, in the light of the concern expressed by the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency, he will authorise the temporary imposition of a levy on package tours;
(3) if he is satisfied with the level of funds in the air travel reserve fund; and whether he will authorise the raising of loans by the fund to restore its liquidity to the level of 1978 as a proportion of turnover on package tours;
(4) if he is satisfied that adequate safeguards exist to prevent tour operators from using payments by customers 548W for unauthorised purposes, in view of the fears expressed in the annual report of the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency.
§ Mr. David MitchellI refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 21 November 1983.—[Vol. 49, c.15.] My right hon. Friend believes that the existing arrangements provide adequate protection for those taking package holidays by air. But he has noted the comments of the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency in its recent annual report. and will be discussing them with the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority.