HC Deb 05 July 1951 vol 489 cc2465-6
2. Miss Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to encourage the staggering of holidays this year.

Mr. Robens

Having regard to the activities of the British Travel and Holidays Association and others concerned, it was decided that my Department should no longer itself undertake special publicity campaigns on the subject, and it has not done so this year or last year.

Miss Ward

As it is the policy to continue the staggering of holidays, has the right hon. Gentleman asked the Minister of Transport to see that adequate travelling facilities are available for those who take their holidays in June?

Mr. Robens

The British Travel and Holidays Association have, in fact, been doing that work, and have made representations to my right hon. Friend on those lines. If the hon. Lady would like me to ask the Association to send her a copy of their report, she will see all that information contained in the report.

Mr. Shunner

In view of the fact that the number of people entitled to holidays has increased so greatly since the war, would it not be advantageous to the seaside resorts who have promised to reduce their prices if the number of people going there could be staggered from May to September? Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people are unable to go to these resorts, not only because of the price but because the places are crowded, and ought not something to be done to give these people a better chance?

Mr. Robens

I think that is quite right. We all like the staggering of holidays, but we must respect the wishes of people who like to go in the summer.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Is it not the case that no real progress is likely to be made in this matter until the apparently insoluble problem of staggering school holidays is settled?

Mr. Robens

In addition to that there is the problem of the fixed Bank Holiday.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Would the right hon. Gentleman stagger the miners by arranging for a fortnight's holiday for them?

Mr. Robens

The hon. Gentleman will see that he is a little late if he reads the report from the mineworkers' conference.