Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will meet senior leaders of the travel industry to discuss the increasing incidence of gastric illness claims made by package holiday customers.

The Government is concerned about the apparent recent increase in holiday sickness claims and its potential implications for tour operators and the holiday industry more generally. My department is liaising with the Association of British Travel Agents and other industry representatives to understand the underlying problems and identify the most appropriate and effective response.

Tackling fraudulent claims is a key priority. The Claims Management Regulator is investigating claims management companies which are soliciting holidaymakers to make sickness claims and is actively working with industry representatives, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and other regulators to target and respond effectively to any abuses. We remain committed to ensuring that those CMCs which contact consumers to offer claims services do so legally.