TNAG-2386-FCO40-3468-Asia-travel-budget-for-1991-1991 — Page 141

3.

I note your comments about "bucket shops" (whatever

that term means). But no-one is suggesting that the FCO

should purchase tickets from disreputable or unreliable

companies. Quite the contrary. The fact is that there are many reputable companies in London whose business it is to sell, in cooperation with the airlines, surplus tickets at

discount prices (rather like theatre tickets are sold at discount prices). The sort of horror stories quoted in your minute simply do not apply.

4.

Incidentally, when I telephoned Thomas Cook's main

London office for a quotation for a cheap ticket to Hong

Kong, they offered me a "bucket shop" price of £651! The

"bucket shop" ticket which I eventually purchased for my

wife (at a cost of £630, after negotiation) enabled her to

travel with me Club Class, thanks to the kindness of the

Cathay Pacific staff.

LOPAFI/2

Alan Paul

Alan Paul