§ 53. Sir N. Grattan-Doyleasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the frequent complaints of hotel proprietors in Great Britain that they are under disabilities by comparison with their competitors abroad by reason of licensing restrictions, he will appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into the question with a view to making home holiday resorts more attractive to visitors?
§ Sir S. HoareI am aware that statements have been made to the effect indicated in the first part of the question, and I understand the suggestion to be that persons are deterred from visiting our holiday resorts by reason of the licensing restrictions in force. I am not clear on what evidence this suggestion is based, and I would point out that the Royal Commission on Licensing, by whom the position of hotels was specially examined, were not convinced that licensing restrictions had in fact acted to any substantial degree as a deterrent to visitors from abroad.
Viscountess AstorDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be better if hotel proprietors supplied better coffee, better food and more bathrooms?