§ Mr. Robert BanksTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the effects of the proposed distance selling directive on the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI have had a number of such representations. I agree with them that the proposals in the revised draft of the distance selling directive submitted to the EC Council of Ministers on 22 October would be extremely damaging to the tourist industry. The Greek presidency has however suggested some amendments to this draft which would go some of the way to meeting the industry's concerns. We will continue to have these concerns very much in mind when negotiation of the directive resumes in Brussels.