§ 11. Mr. William Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements are being made to increase travel between Great Britain and those countries with which we have signed cultural conventions; whether he is aware that the present exchange allowances for such travel other than for official or business purposes are inadequate; and what steps he proposes to take in each case to ensure more effective arrangements at an early date.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe whole question of these allowances is under constant review, not only for those countries with which we have cultural conventions, but for all countries in which these allowances apply. Some extensions have already been made—for example, there is now no limit to bona fide tourist expenditure in the three Scandinavian countries. Basic allowances of £50 can be spent in a great number of countries. Such restrictions as remain in force are due to balance of payments considerations but I hope that the general movement towards greater freedom in payments in Western Europe and, in particular, the European Payments Union which is now under consideration in Paris, may in due course enable us to get rid of some of these restrictions.