HC Deb 08 December 1953 vol 521 c1803
57. Sir I. Fraser

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many dollars, American and Canadian respectively, were earned by this country by the tourist industry in the last three years, showing, separately, transportation to this country and money spent in this country.

Mr. R. A. Butler

From the dollar area as a whole the figures are £23 million in 1951, £28 million in 1952 and £14 million in the first half of this year. These figures exclude fare payments. I am circulating in the Official Report some more detailed estimates of the earnings referred to.

Sir I. Fraser

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether these figures show that this industry earns more dollars than any other single industry in Britain? If that is so, will he consult the same high officials and obtain the same good advice as to how to foster and to aid it that he obtains in regard to the export trade?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I have already been in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade with a view to encouraging the tourist trade in any way possible. The figures for the first half of this year are adequate, but we should earn more in this way, and anything I can do to encourage the tourist trade will be done.

Following are the details: The British Travel and Holidays Association, in conjunction with the Board of Trade, have prepared the following more detailed estimates of earnings from U.S. and Canadian tourists respectively: expenditure in the United Kingdom: 1951, £16½ million and £6 million; 1952, £20 million and £6½ million; 1953, £23 million and £7½ million; expenditure on fares: 1951, £10 million and £2 million; 1952, £12 million and £3 million; 1953, £13½ million and £3 million.