WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1982
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PLAN TO PROTECT TRAVELLING PUBLIC FROM FRAUD
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THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING INTRODUCING MEASURES TO PROTECT THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS TRAVEL AGENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRÉSON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER C. WONG, MR JEAFFRESON SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT, IF PRACTICABLE, MEMBERS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC OUGHT TO BE AFFORDED SOME MEASURES OF PROTECTION AGAINST FRAUD.
HE HAD REACHED THIS CONCLUSION FOR THREE REASONS, HE SAID.
+FIRST, THE NATURE OF THE BUSINESS IS SUCH THAT ANYONE CAN AT PRESENT SET UP A TRAVEL AGENCY SIMPLY BY OBTAINING A BUSINESS REGISTRATION LICENCE. THUS IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC TO FIND OUT FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER A COMPANY IS LIKELY TO ABSCOND WITH THEIR MONEY.
+SECOND, UNLIKE BUYING MERCHANDISE FROM A SHOP, THE NATURE OF THE TRAVEL BUSINESS IS SUCH THAT PEOPLE PAY IN ADVANCE FOR SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED LATER. THERE IS THUS AN ELEMENT OF TRUST AND RISK INVOLVED.
+THIRD, THE EVIDENCE BEFORE ME SUGGESTS THAT SOME AGENTS ARE NOT HONOURING THIS TRUST AND POTENTIAL TRAVELLERS ARE NOT BEING SUFFICIENTLY CAREFUL IN SELECTING THE AGENTS, DESPITE REPEATED WARNINGS BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND BY THE MEDIA TO EXERCISE CAUTION IN THEIR CHOICE OF TRAVEL AGENTS.
+ IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING WHAT MEASURES WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE, IN ORDER TO AFFORD MEMBERS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC A REASONABLE DEGREE OF PROTECTION AGAINST FRAUD IN GENERAL AND ABSCONDING IN PARTICULAR.+
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSULTING THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY ON THE MATTER.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S GENERAL POLICY ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IS BASED ON THE VIEW THAT THE BEST PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS IS FOR CONSUMERS THEMSELVES TO TAKE CARE OVER THE IR PURCHASES.
HE FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTERVENE ONLY TO PROTECT CONSUMERS WHEN THEY CANNOT, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES BEING PROVIDED, BE EXPECTED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
+ I CAN SEE NO GROUNDS FOR REVISING THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON CONSUMER PROTECTION GENERALLY, HE SAID.
/+THAT IS TO