§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the European Union distance selling directive in relation to tourism.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Government have made it clear that it will not agree to this directive while it contains provisions which would prevent payment in advance for goods and services. We are also pressing for the complete exclusion of services with reservation from the scope of the directive. The Greek presidency has responded to these concerns by tabling compromise proposals which go some way to addressing them, and these are under discussion in Brussels. It is too early to say whether these proposals might form a basis for agreement.