HC Deb 08 May 1950 vol 475 cc33-5
62. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what nations at the present time allow no currency facilities to their nationals who wish to visit Great Britain as tourists; and whether, in view of the desirability of attracting as many foreign visitors to Great Britain as possible during 1951 in connection with the Festival of Britain, he proposes to make any representations to the countries concerned, with a view to persuading them to provide the necessary currency facilities for their nationals by then.

71. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is intended to commence a publicity campaign in foreign countries to encourage foreign visitors to come to this country for the Festival of Britain; and whether, before-commencing any such publicity in countries which allow no foreign exchange for their nationals to visit this country as tourists, he will take some steps to persuade or encourage the Governments concerned to grant such facilities prior to 1951.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The British Travel and Holidays Association is already covering the Festival of Britain in its publicity material for overseas. The overseas publicity campaign of the Festival Office itself will begin in the late summer in the Commonwealth and the United States and in November in Europe. Latin America and certain other territories.

The question of securing relaxation of existing currency restrictions for foreign visitors is kept constantly in mind and will be taken up with the countries concerned during the period prior to the opening of the Festival. As the list of countries still imposing restrictions is rather long I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Teeling

Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is particularly important to get people here from South America, and that in some States in South America quite recently all exchange has been forbidden for people coming out of that country or coming here? Will the hon. Gentleman therefore bear South America particularly in mind?

Mr. Peter Smithers

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the persons engaged in the propaganda campaign to which he referred, Mr. Paul Wright, stated in the United States, at a Press conference that he denied that those who visited the Festival would be exposed to propaganda in the Socialist way of life, though they would hardly be able to miss the medical scheme?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman appears to be giving information and not asking for it.

Following is the list:

A number of countries do not allocate, for purposes of tourist visits to the United Kingdom, any basic allowance such as is granted by His Majesty's Government for visits to a range of countries, but are understood to consider applications on their merits.

These include Austria, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Spain, U.S.S.R., Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Roumania, Bulgaria, and Albania. Certain other countries, while not allocating a basic allowance, permit the acquisition of exchange at free market rates involving a premium over the official rate. These include Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.