§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he intends to make to the report of the sub-committee of the monitoring committee on misleading price indications on service charges in restaurants and hotels.
§ Mr. LeighA committee to monitor and review the operation of the regime established under part III of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 was set up by my hon. Friend for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) when he was Minister for Consumer Affairs.
The committee referred the question of service charges in hotels and restaurants to a sub-committee drawn from the interests concerned. The sub-committee completed its report, which was endorsed by the main committee, last June.
My hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms has considered the recommendations in the report most carefully, but she is not convinced that further legislation would make an effective contribution to solving the problems which can arise over payment for service. She has therefore decided against further regulation in this area at this time.
A copy of the sub-committee's report will be placed in the Library.