§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will increase the funding of trading standards officers to investigate the sales practices of timeshare firms.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 1 July 1992]: It is the responsibility of individual local weights and measures authorities to fund the trading standards service in their area.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will examine the complaints received by trading standards officers about the timeshare sales practices of International Resort Sales and Travel Ltd., Dunblane; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 1 July 1992]: If any such complaints are passed to me, they will be carefully examined. However, enforcement of legislation on sales practices is mainly a matter for the trading standards departments of local weights and measures authorities.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider introducing legislation to prevent timeshare agents posing as market researchers.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 1 July 1992]: No. This practice, which I deplore, has been well publicised by the Office of Fair Trading. I do not consider that legislation is necessary.