To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from members of the public in (a) Wirral, (b) Merseyside and (c) the North West on the failure of Farepak. (100786)

The Department have received a large number of letters from members of the public, but I regret that it would not be possible to provide the information which my hon. Friend seeks except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met consumer groups to discuss the situation at Farepak. (100787)

I have had no discussions with consumer groups on Farepak, though a number of individual Farepak customers or agents have informed me of their situation through my constituency office or by writing to me. I have great sympathy for all those who have been so badly let down in this case, and I am doing all that I can to secure some practical assistance for them, on a goodwill basis, before Christmas.