HC Deb 13 June 1927 vol 207 cc665-6
24. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the Minister of Health whether he can see his way to introduce legislation giving further facilities to municipalities for the purposes of making known overseas the attractions and interests of their districts?

Sir K. WOOD

Local authorities have certain powers of advertising now, under the Health Resorts and Watering Places Act, 1921, and my right hon. Friend is afraid that he could not undertake to introduce further legislation on the subject.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that our health resorts have Government backing for purposes of publicity equal to that of their rivals abroad?

Sir K. WOOD

That is another matter altogether.

Sir FRANK MEYER

Before authorising any such expenditure, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the advisability of removing some of the petty restrictions at these places?

Captain GARRO-JONES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in 1925 some 5,000,000 inhabitants of this country took their holidays abroad, and, in those circumstances, would it not be better for propaganda to begin at home?

Mr. HARRIS

Does London come under the category of a health resort?

27. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the movement to attract visitors to this country from overseas, he will do what is possible to obtain the same facilities for those responsible for advertising the attractions of Great Britain abroad as is allowed in this country; whether he is aware that literature which it is desired to display and distribute, advertising the attractions of the home country, at the Canadian National Exhibition is liable to a duty of 10 cents per pound and an additional sales tax of 4 per cent. of the duty paid value; and whether any friendly representation can he made to have this matter adjusted?

Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

All advertising material sent from here into Canada is liable to Customs Duty and Sales Tax at the rates stated by my hon. Friend, but a discount of 10 per cent. of the duty is allowed in certain circumstances. The Customs Duty gives a preference to British over foreign material, and I do not think it would serve any useful purpose to ask the Canadian Government to make any special concession in this case.

29. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the broadcasting from this country is now heard in very many parts of the world, he will consider giving fuller publicity to the many attractions this country affords to overseas and foreign visitors?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer)

This is a matter within the responsibility of the British Broadcasting Corporation which, I have no doubt, will consider any representations made to it On the subject.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Does not the Noble Lord think a few well-chosen words from Members of the House, in one of the better-known European languages, describing the excellence of their constituencies would have considerable effect abroad?

Viscount WOLMER

I hope the hon. Gentleman will make that particular recommendation to the British Broadcasting Corporation.