HC Deb 15 January 1993 vol 216 cc854-5W
Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is planning to make to his counterparts in the EC about unsafe holiday accommodation abroad.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no such plans. The safety of holiday accommodation is a matter for the individual Governments of the member states.

The Association of British Travel Agents offers advice to British tour operators on the safety standards of holiday accommodation. The EC package travel directive however makes tour operators liable for damage or injury suffered by customers, even if caused by negligence of the owner or manager of holiday accommodation they use.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that United Kingdom holidaymakers are not exposed to hazardous foreign accommodation.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers the British travelling public advice about dangers to their safety resulting from political unrest, lawlessness, threats of violence, natural disasters or epidemics.

Holidaymakers are advised to consult their travel operator or the relevant national tourist office about the safety of their accommodation.