§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will outline the arrangements, including the period of franchise, under which Thomas Cook Ltd. provides the travel agency service within the Palace of Westminster.
§ Mr. BeithThe present arrangements under which the Transport Office is operated on behalf of both Houses by Thomas Cook Ltd. date from an agreement concluded in August 1985. They are set out in detail in the third report from the Services Committee of Session 1984–85 (HC 437); but have been subsequently amended and extended by resolutions of the Services and Administration Committees.
Under the terms of the Services Committee's resolution of 15 May 1990 the 1985 agreement between the House 180W and Thomas Cook Ltd. for the operation of the Transport Office was extended beyond its original four years for an indefinite period; but it was a recommendation of that Committee that these arrangements should be fully reviewed within 12 months of the beginning of this Parliament (HC 100-iv). It is expected that the Administration Committee will be invited to initiate that review as an early priority.
Thomas Cook Ltd. is required to report regularly to the Administration Committee and to the Transport Office consumers' panel whose chairman is a member of that Committee and which includes representatives of the Finance and Administration Department and the main user groups.
Full details of the services provided by the Transport Office are contained in the Booker's reference guide issued by Thomas Cook Ltd. to all Members and in the Members' handbook.