§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1) if he plans further discussions with representatives of the travel trade on alleged restrictive practices on tour operations;
(2) what is the latest position of his Department on the device known as Stabiliser in relation to tour operations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John FraserI have no present plans to have discussions with repre636W sentatives of the travel trade on this matter. The administration of the restrictive trade practices legislation is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. The agreement of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) including the exclusive dealing restriction known as Stabiliser was placed on the public register of restrictive trading agreements in October 1976. I understand that following discussions between the Director General and ABTA representatives ABTA abandoned many of the restrictions in its agreement and is now considering whether to maintain Stabiliser and a related restriction and defend these in the Restrictive Practices Court.