HC Deb 14 July 1997 vol 298 cc68-9W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning travel agencies owned by tour operators or general travel companies; [7853]

(2) if the statement made in Athens by the Under-Secretary with responsibility for consumer affairs that Lunn Poly shops should be rebranded as Thomson shops represented Government policy. [7848]

Mrs. Beckett

The Monopolies and Mergers Commission are currently investigating foreign package holidays and travel agents services and will report in November. Any concerns which they may raise will be considered when the report is received.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she asked the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs to issue a correction to his statement at the Athens conference concerning the travel trade. [7849]

Mrs. Beckett

No. My hon. Friend did not make a statement in Athens—he participated in a panel session at a conference organised by the Institute of Travel and Tourism. Among the issues raised in that discussion was vertical integration in the travel industry, which my hon. Friend correctly pointed out was still under investigation by the MMC.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she asked the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs to step down from consideration of the MMC investigation into the travel trade. [7852]

Mrs. Beckett

No. My hon. Friend announced on 1 July that he had decided to rule himself out of consideration of the MMC report into the travel trade. This was at his own initiative.