§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of(a) the legal protection afforded to people who become involved in holiday clubs which fail to deliver what is promised, and (b) how it compares with the protection afforded to people who purchase time shares; and if she will make a statement. [161964]
§ Mr. SutcliffeTimeshare legislation generally does not apply to holiday clubs. The European Commission plan to Review the Timeshare Directive (94/47/EC), which would provide the opportunity to extend the scope of the Directive to holiday clubs. My officials are visiting Brussels this month to discuss the status and timing of this Review.
The unfair Commercial Practices Directive, which is currently under negotiation, is expected to provide protection against two aspects of holiday club scams—pressure selling and misleading offers. In addition, existing legislation covering misleading advertising, distance selling, as well as contract law could, in certain circumstances, apply to holiday clubs.