§ 81. Wing-Commander Roland Robinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the assurance given on behalf of the Government to the recent International Conference of Tourist Organisations that Great Britain intends to do everything possible to facilitate tourist traffic to this country in 1947, he will in the near future make a statement indicating what practical steps will be taken to enable the hotel industry of this country to restore and enlarge hotel premises so as to provide for the contemplated increase in foreign tourists as well as the larger numbers of British holiday-makers seeking accommodation at hotels.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe Departments concerned with the various aspects of tourist and home holiday traffic have for some time past been giving special attention to the measures necessary to provide facilities for 1947. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Works is doing everything possible to secure a quick rehabilitation of those hotels and similar establishments, some 3,600 in number, which have been derequisitioned since January, 1945. Very considerable progress has been made in this work, and in the repair of bomb-damaged premises, and similar help will be given to the approximately 300 further establishments which it is expected will be released before April, 1947. Regional officers of all Departments concerned have been instructed to do everything they reasonably can to help tourist and holiday establishments, and especially those in areas most likely to be favoured by overseas visitors.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownMay I ask how far the President of the Board of Trade has gone with the scheme to set up a committee on the industry which, it was understood, it was his intention to set up?
§ Sir S. CrippsIf the hon. Member will put that Question down, I will answer it.