HC Deb 28 July 1931 vol 255 cc2101-2 The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: 59. To ask the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what special steps are being taken to encourage and extend the tourist industry in this country?
Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

On a point of Order. I put this question down to the Lord Privy Seal, as it obviously affects a number of Departments such as Transport, Home Office, and so on, and it has been altered without my consent to the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department. I fail to see what the Overseas Trade Department has to do with this question at all.

Mr. SPEAKER

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member had better wait and see what the answer is.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

If I wish to ask the Lord Privy Seal a question which I think comes within his province, what means have I of questioning him?

Mr. SPEAKER

Questions are obviously answered by the Ministers whom they most concern.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

I am sorry to press this matter, but may I draw attention to the fact that at the beginning of this Parliament, questions affecting policy on unemployment were almost invariably answered by the then Lord Privy Seal, but recently it has been exceedingly difficult to put any questions on policy affecting unemployment to the Lord Privy Seal.

Mr. ERNEST BROWN

Did not the Lord Privy Seal announce this policy as part of the Government policy?

Mr. HANNON

Is not the Minister for Overseas Trade the right Minister to reply to this question?

Mr. MACLEAN

Is it not the case that this question in no way refers to overseas trade, but to tourists in this country?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member cannot expect me to reply to that question.

Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank) on 23rd July, of which I am sending him a copy.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Does not that answer show that I am fully justified in my protest?

Mr. HANNON

Can any portion of the money appropriated for the Empire Marketing Board be applied for the purpose of advertising tourist traffic?