To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the EC package travel directive; and what measures he intends to take to help small travel operators to meet the demands of this directive.

I have received numerous representations about the EC package travel directive, from trade associations, tour organisers, travel agents and consumer bodies. The implementing regulations were drafted to allow the widest possible measure of choice in meeting the requirement of the directive regarding security for pre-payments and against the cost of repatriation in the event of insolvency in order to help small travel operators.