§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Trade how much money is currently held in the Air Travel Reserve Fund and how much has been disbursed from it at the latest convenient date; how much of the initial loan made to the fund by Her Majesty's Government has been repaid; and what grounds there are for the continuation of the present 2 per cent. levy on holidaymakers travelling abroad under the auspices of licensed air travel organisers.
§ Mr. MeacherI am advised by the Chairman of the Air Travel Reserve Fund that the Reserve Fund amounts to about £6.4 million. With regard to the amount disbursed from the Reserve Fund, the ATRF accounts will be made public shortly.
The loans made to the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency by the Government have been repaid.
The contributions paid by air travel organisers at the rate of 2 per cent. enable the Reserve Fund to supplement the Civil Aviation Authority's arrangements for bonding air travel organisers for the protection of travellers, but I shall certainly review this level of contribution in due course.
§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to review and amend the regulations governing the working of the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency.
§ Mr. MeacherI keep the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) (Reserve Fund) Regulations 1975 under review; but I have no immediate plans to amend them.