HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 cc2115-6
38. Mr. Teeling

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any petrol ration will be allowed for visitors to this country during the coming summer; and what estimate has been made of the amount of dollars and other foreign exchange that will otherwise be lost to the Treasury.

Mr. Gaitskell

In reply to the first part of the Question, the present position is as stated in the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Brighton (Mr. Marlowe) on 13th November, but I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about the possibility of increasing the allowance for overseas visitors. In reply to the second part of the Question, no estimate has been made of the loss of dollar and other foreign exchange which would occur if the allowances to foreign visitors were discontinued.

Mr. Teeling

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the American Automobile Association has stated that last year over 2,000 cars were brought over to Europe, that over 60 per cent. of these came to this country, and that it was calculated that at least double that number would come in the present year? Does the Minister also realise that the private hire cars and "self-drive" cars for chauffeurs in this country are a far greater gain to us in dollars? Can the Minister let us have some information about this soon?

Mr. Gaitskell

I have already explained that we are going into the question of providing better private hire car facilities for tourists. I am consulting my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about the question of the petrol allowance for this purpose.

Mr. Gerald Williams

Is the Minister aware that in the case of American visitors petrol will be sold to them at the retail price, and bring in a profit in dollars?

Mr. Gaitskell

Yes, of course, that is why we are considering increasing the allowance.

Mr. Teeling

May I press this point? People must make up their minds about their holidays in the next few weeks.

Mr. Vane

Is the Minister aware that the 20-mile limit affects not only Americans? It works unfairly in places like the Lake District which are thinly populated and where distances are great compared with the South-East. Will the Minister see whether he can do anything in this matter?

Mr. Gaitskell

I do not think I can reconsider the question of the Order, but when the hon. Member studies it I think he will find that most of the difficult cases will be covered by it.