HC Deb 14 October 1952 vol 505 cc5-6
9. Mr. Arbuthnot

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for mooring passenger vessels in Dover Harbour for the Coronation to give additional hotel accommodation.

Mr. H. Strauss

I am glad to say that the port authorities at Dover have planned to make one berth, or possibly two berths, available in the harbour, if required, for vessels acting as floating hotels. So far as I am aware, these facilities have not been taken up, but I am informed by the British Travel and Holidays Association that they will put any interested party of whom they hear in touch with the port authorities.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the Minister also consider the possibility of mooring some of these vessels in the Thames with a view to counteracting the profiteering, of which there are already signs, in connection with the forth-coming Coronation?

Mr. Strauss

I am not expressing any agreement with the latter observation of the hon. and gallant Member, but arrangements have already been made for facilities on the Thames.

Mrs. Mann

In view of the disgusting prices charged in London hotels to Members of Parliament, would the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider mooring some of these vessels at Westminster Bridge, for example?