HC Deb 09 November 1948 vol 457 cc1387-8
75. Mr. Odey

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the inadequacy of the present arrangements for the sale of goods to tourists free of Purchase Tax, he will take steps to encourage the retail trade to promote the sale of British goods to visitors from abroad.

Mr. Bottomley

I am most anxious that shopping arrangements for overseas visitors should be as simple as possible, and on 23rd March, in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kennington (Mr. Gibson), my right hon. Friend announced the introduction for an experimental period of a new scheme, the Tourist Voucher Scheme, and the extension of the Personal Export Scheme. These schemes appear to have worked reasonably well this season, but their operation is now under review, and we hope to improve them still further next year. Among the points to which special attention will be paid are the Purchase Tax arrangements, publicity for the schemes among overseas visitors and the part played by traders in working the schemes.

Mr. Odey

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask if there is any point at all in spending money on encouraging tourists here if we take no really practical steps to encourage the sale of goods overseas while tourists are here?

Mr. Bottomley

I thought I indicated that we had taken steps.