§ 8. Mr. GODFREY WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his statistical department can draw up a rough estimate of the annual amount spent oversea by British subjects holiday-making on the Continent; and will he consider means of discouraging the expenditure involved so that the adverse pull upon our oversea balance may be reduced?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I regret that, owing to insufficient information, no such estimate can be made. This element has always been included in a general miscellaneous heading in the estimated trade balance. As regards the latter part of the question, my right hon. 178 Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his speech broadcast on 21st September appealed to British nationals to refrain from taking holidays abroad, an appeal which I am sure all Members of the House will reinforce.