HC Deb 23 May 1972 vol 837 cc343-4W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations he has received from Weights and Measures departments regarding suggested amendments to the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 as it relates to tour operators; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will seek to amend the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 in such a way that it is no defence for tour operators to plead that they have no responsibility in law for foreign hoteliers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Onslow

I am aware of proposals sent to a number of hon. Members by the Institute of Weights and Measures Administration. Some individual authorities have also suggested amendments to the Act. I am not satisfied that it would be right to legislate on the lines of these proposals, but I shall certainly be ready to consider what improvements might be made to Section 14 when the time comes to review the Act.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the extent to which tour operators are describing the length of a holiday in a way which does not indicate the number of full days of the holiday; and what replies he has sent.

GREAT BRITAIN*
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE. APPROVALS AND REFUSALS FROM 1ST JANUARY, 1972 TO 30THAPRIL, 1972, FOR SCHEMES OF 10,000 SQUARE FEET AND OVER
Approvals Refusals
Region Number Number Estimated additional employment?
Northern 37 Nil
Yorkshire and Humberside 85 Nil
East Midlands 66 Nil
East Anglia 53 Nil
South Eastern 213 13 1,770
South Western 39 Nil
Wales 26 Nil
West Midlands 101 6 720
North Western 88 Nil
Scotland 56 Nil
* The Industrial Development Certificate control does not operate in Northern Ireland.
† Figures provided by the applicants of jobs estimated to arise when the projects were complete and fully manned.

Mr. Noble

It is occasionally suggested to us that it is misleading to count part days as whole days, though whether anyone is thereby misled must partly depend on the supporting explanations in the relevant brochure. The attention of such complainants is usually drawn to the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act in regard to statements about services, accommodation or facilities, and to the responsibility of local weights and measures authorities for their enforcement.