§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he has any plans to seek to extend existing consumer protection legislation to contracts for the purchase of time-share properties; and what consultations he has had on this matter and with whom;
(2) whether he has any plans to seek to introduce a licensing system for those selling time-share properties; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether he has received any representations concerning the sales techniques adopted by those selling time-share properties, with particular reference to the activities of British companies in Spain and other overseas holiday resorts.
§ Mr. HowardMy Department has received nine complaints about the sales techniques used by some firms to sell time shares. One of these complaints was about a property abroad and this was in Spain, but there was no indication whether the company concerned was British.
Broadly speaking, existing legislation in the United Kingdom applies to contracts for time share purchases in the same way as it applies to other contracts. I have no plans at present to amend legislation because of the way 10W in which timesharing contracts are marketed or to introduce a licensing system for firms engaged in such marketing.
I would strongly advise all those considering buying time shares, whether in this country or abroad, to think very carefully and to take independent legal advice before committing themselves.