HC Deb 01 May 1950 vol 474 cc1391-2
21. Mr. William Teeling

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the Report of the Hotels Committee of the former British Tourist and Holidays Board into hotel services in Great Britain from the user's point of view, he can see his way to reverse his decision not to increase from £100 to £500 per annum the amount which can be spent on the repair or improvement of hotels, without licence

Mr. Stokes

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Weston-super Mare (Mr. Ian Leslie Orr-Ewing) on 13th March.

Mr. Teeling

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise how difficult this is making things for the hotel keepers with regard to our own tourists, and even more particularly with regard to foreign tourists, who want to get some extra Amenities?

Mr. Stokes

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the foreign tourist gets extra priority. The Board of Trade sanctions, and asks me to license, hotel extensions and improvements where foreign tourists are concerned. Beyond that I cannot go at present.

Mr. S. Silverman

Can my right hon. Friend explain to the House how he proposes to increase the rate of house building, to increase the rate of office building and to increase the rate of hotel building without in any way exceeding the capital investment which the Opposition is continually begging him to keep down?

Mr. Stokes

I think I ought to have notice of that question.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he does not treat the hotel industry like any other industry and give them the same limit of £1,000?

Mr. Stokes

Because the arrangement is that preference is given to those hotels which really form part of our tourist trade, particularly those who are concerned with the dollar visitors.

Mr. Taylor

But Why treat them differently?

Mr. Stokes

Because that is found to be the most convenient way of dealing with the situation.