§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will request the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the excessive variations in tour operators' surcharges, and their justification.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimA tour operator's right to levy surcharges depends on the terms of his contract with his clients. These contracts, usually in the form of booking conditions, vary among tour operators.
Tour operators who are members of the Association of British Travel Agents also subscribe to a voluntary code of conduct, drawn up in consultation with the Director General of Fair Trading. This code lays down the circumstances in which the brochure price may be increased, and by a recent amendment will also ensure that clients are in future given a breakdown of any surcharges.
In these circumstances I do not consider it necessary to refer this matter to the Director General.