HC Deb 22 January 1948 vol 446 cc357-8
22. Mr. Joynson-Hicks

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department issues at the taxpayers' expense leaflets to be issued by individual hotel managements; and whether leaflet [90926] 15331/6860 7000 6/46 51/1 is designed to attract tourists to this country.

Mr. Wilson

The leaflet to which the hon. Member refers says simply, "Please bring your own towel." Towels cannot be made generally available to hotels and hairdressing saloons and many establishments prefer the request to visitors to provide their own to be made officially. The total number of these leaflets printed in the last five years is only 135,000. As regards the second part of the Question, the leaflet is not intended to go to overseas visitors. Some provision was made for them, however, under a scheme announced on 5th December, 1946, whereby more than 180,000 coupons for towels were made available to some 1000 establishments catering for such visitors.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that taxpayers very much resent the Government utilising their money for the production of leaflets of this sort, and will the Government endeavour to improve the facilities available in hotels by the production of more towels?

Mr. Wilson

I have already said that the hotel trades were extremely anxious that these facilities should be provided for them. So far as the supply of towels is concerned, I have said what has been done. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will realize the supply position at the moment.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Are the overseas visitors exempted on the anticipation that they will not take baths, having studied the public declarations of the Minister of Fuel and Power?

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Did 135,000 leaflets produce 135,000 towels?