HC Deb 10 December 1992 vol 215 cc745-6W
Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to safeguard consumers by ensuring that offers of free flights from retailers and manufacturers as part of sales promotions are genuine.

Mr. Leigh

[holding answer 2 December 1992]: Sales promotions involving the offer of free flights are already subject to a number of controls, both statutory and voluntary.

My Department takes the view that a false statement as to the provision of free flights could constitute an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and a false statement that a service is free could constitute an offence under part III of the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Trading standards officers are responsible for enforcing the legislation.

Under the voluntary system of controls in advertising and sales promotion, the codes of practice administered by the Advertising Standards Authority—ASA—require all sales promotion material to be legal, decent, honest and truthful. Where someone has reason to believe that a free-flight offer may not be genuine, he should take the matter up with the relevant authorities.

I do not consider that any additional controls over offers of free flights are necessary at the present time.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his inspectors will investigate current offers of free flights and report to him on(a) the supply of flights meeting the demand generated by the purchase and (b) the financial security of the firms responsible for providing the flights.

Mr. Leigh

[holding answer 2 December 1992]: No. Under the British code of sales promotion practice, promoters are required to take all reasonable steps to avoid disappointing the consumer. This includes ensuring that a reasonable estimate of the likely response to a promotion is made before consumers are invited to participate. The ASA regularly reminds advertisers that consumers should be able to understand without difficulty what offers consist of and any restrictions imposed on them.

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