§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had about the need to protect legitimate traders from the activities of ticket touts.
§ Mr. MacleanWe have received a number of representations from hon. Members and others on the subject of ticket touting, including some from those involved in the organisation and promotion of theatrical, sporting, and other entertainment events.
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill currently before Parliament will make the unauthorised touting of 142W tickets for football matches an offence because of the serious consequences such touting may have for the preservation of public order. Similar problems have not occurred at other sporting events or entertainments and the Government have no plans to make touting in general a criminal offence. However, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is considering making regulations under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to ensure that those who deceive customers as to the value or type of the tickets they sell can be punished appropriately.