§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has received about misleading advertising techniques practised by promoters selling timeshares; whether he has any evidence that such complaints are increasing in number; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeighI receive a steady stream of complaints about the marketing practices of some timeshare companies and associated high pressure selling. There has been an increase over the last month but this may reflect publicity given to these practices in a recent television programme.
I have already told the House that we intend to amend the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 to tighten the controls on statements about services and to bring timeshare award schemes within the Act's powers.