Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2004. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will discuss with the travel industry the differential pricing of holidays out of school term time. - Inc ref to www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolattendance.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will discuss with the travel industry the differential pricing of holidays out of school term time. [152073] Mr. Ivan Lewis: My Department has an on-going relationship with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), with whom we are in discussion on the issue of holiday pricing. ABTA advises that if parents book early, discounts may be made available for holidays out of term time. We also know that some local education authorities work in partnership with local tour operators to offer incentives to parents to take their children on holiday outside term time. Good practice on this issue is available at: www.dfes.gov/schoolattendance I am currently considering how this good practice could be implemented in all areas. The Office of Fair Trading has the power to look into holiday pricing if there is evidence of anti-competitive behaviour. At present, they have no such evidence.

Secondary information