HC Deb 08 February 1949 vol 461 cc196-7
50. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now increase the foreign travel allowance for visits to those countries which have a substantial adverse balance of trade with this country, including France and Greece.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Douglas Jay)

The new tourist year begins on 1st May next, and I shall be making a statement about next year's travel allowances nearer to that date.

Mr. Blackburn

Will the Minister bear in mind that people in this country like to plan their holidays early and that they want to know now whether it is likely that there will be an increase in the travel allowance to France and other countries about which there seems to be no economic difficulty whatever?

Mr. Jay

Yes, Sir. We are very anxious to make a statement at the earliest possible date, but we are in communication with several other countries at this moment.

Mr. Keeling

Is the only reason against this our agreement with Switzerland that we will not do it?

Mr. Jay

The chief difficulty arises from the fact that we must not spend gold or dollars on tourism which we could otherwise spend on food. Subject to that limitation, we should like to have the maximum facilities for tourism.

Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

Will the Minister bear in mind that money spent in this way tends also to attract visitors to this country from France or from whichever country to which it applies, and so has a double advantage?