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Last Updated: Tuesday, 17 October 2006, 10:16 GMT 11:16 UK
MP urges help for hamper families
Farepak website
Many customers of Farepak in Wales will lose money
A Welsh MP has called for help for families who have lost hundreds of pounds after a Christmas hamper company went into administration.

Farepak has told customers they are unlikely to receive any money back.

Families across the UK have put hundreds of pounds into the scheme throughout the year in return for vouchers or hampers at Christmas.

Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said she would raise the matter with Consumer Minister Ian McCartney.

Suddenly just before Christmas they are faced with this horrible reality that while they've been careful and put money by to try not to get into debt they are losing their money
Nia Griffith MP

Up to 170,000 people across the UK could be affected by the company's problems,

Many from throughout Wales have told the BBC they have lost hundreds of pounds, a number of them Ms Griffith's Llanelli constituents.

She said she was "angry" at the likelihood customers would lose out.

She said: "It seems to me that we are trying to encourage a responsible approach... and suddenly just before Christmas they are faced with this horrible reality that while they've been careful and put money by to try not to get into debt they are losing their money.

"The chances of them getting a full amount back are very slight indeed."

Ms Griffith added: "I'll be raising it with the Minister for Consumer Affairs Ian McCartney, and I've already spoken to a number of other colleagues and we are all extremely cross about it.

"It's certainly something we need to look into and it's certainly something we need to try to get redress for people for."

Many of Farepak's customers make regular year-round payments via a network of local agents as a way of saving for Christmas.

The company's website now gives advice from administrators to cancel any direct debits and to send notice of any claim to their Berkshire address.

But administrators have warned that no hampers or vouchers will be delivered and customers will not get all their money back.




SEE ALSO
Bleak Christmas for hamper firm
16 Oct 06 |  Business

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