HC Deb 24 February 1953 vol 511 cc1906-8
44. Mr. Jay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the foreign exchange allowance for United Kingdom tourists travelling outside the sterling area in the course of the present year.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. R. A. Butler)

The basic travel allowance was fixed at £25 for the year beginning 1st November, 1952. I have no further statement to make.

Mr. Jay

As the plans of a great number of people depend on this, is there any reason why the Chancellor should not make up his mind reasonably soon?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

Is the right hon. Gentleman planning his holidays as early as this?

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in addition to individuals, the tourist agencies, too, have to make arrangements? Is he aware that a situation in which they were informed only about two weeks before the currency allowance came into operation last year is quite unsatisfactory from all points of view?

Mr. Butler

In answer to my hon. Friend, the position which this Government inherited was so serious that he should not have been surprised by any action of that sort.

Mr. H. Morrison

I am not on the merits of the question. May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer not to be unduly influenced in this matter by the Prime Minister who has already had a very nice holiday and who ought not to be selfish at the expense of ordinary citizens? I am not on the merits, but may I ask the Chancellor whether people are not entitled to know this information? Many people have to make arrangements now for their holidays. Cannot the Chancellor say whether or not any change in the allowance is to be made? Surely the public are entitled to know one way or the other so that they may make their arrangements accordingly.

Mr. Butler

I have nothing further to add to my answer, namely, that I have no statement to make, but that does not mean I do not understand the great difficulties under which people are labouring. The situation is that, as it applies to foreign countries, representatives of certain countries have already visited us and talked it over with us.

Mr. Morrison

Does that mean, or does it not, that the right hon. Gentleman has the matter under consideration? If he has the matter under consideration, can he give some indication as to when he will be able to answer the Question put by my right hon. Friend?

Mr. Butler

The right hon. Gentleman may realise that, being on top of my job, I have all these matters under consideration all the time. When I have a statement to make I will make a statement.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the Chancellor treat both the House and the country with rather more courtesy in this matter? Does he realise that there are a great many people who want to know what the allowance is going to be as soon as possible, and will he, perhaps, consider telling the House, say, before we rise for the Easter Recess, what the allowance is likely to be?

Sir W. Smithers

To Russia?

Mr. Butler

I have no intention whatever of being bullied or badgered by the right hon. Gentleman. He has accused me of lack of courtesy to the House, but what the right hon. Gentleman is trying to do now is to push me into making a statement when I do not propose to make one. The initiative arose simply through a perfectly legitimate Question of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay), which I answered by saying that I have no statement to make. No bullying of any sort will make me make a statement.