HC Deb 29 January 1953 vol 510 cc1181-7
37. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information he has received from the Coronation Accommodation Committee concerning the percentage price increase to be made by three London hotels, details of which were supplied to him by the hon. Member for Coventry, South.

Mr. Mackeson

I have now looked into these cases, but the hon. Member will appreciate that it would not be proper for me to single out particular hotels, and give information from which misleading inferences might be drawn. The facilities offered and the expenses incurred differ very greatly, and do not afford any reasonable basis of comparison.

Miss Burton

I must protest about this matter. Is the Minister aware that I was wanting to thank him for his letter to me during the Recess informing me that I was quite right with regard to one of these matters? I mention that only because in a previous Question I gave him the names of three hotels and I was told I was wrong. The Minister then informed me that he would look into the matter. May I ask him, as I have done in this Question on the Order Paper, whether he can give me the results of his inquiries with regard to these three hotels, about one of which I was in the right?

Mr. Mackeson

I have not the least desire to be discourteous to the hon. Lady. Perhaps she will await the answer to Question No. 41.

41. Mr. J. T. Hall

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that hotel charges for the Coronation in all hotels have still not increased by more than 50 per cent.; and if he now has any further statement to make on the position.

Mr. Mackeson

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for affording me the opportunity to refer to my statement on 16th December, when I said that the Coronation Accommodation Committee had told me that their investigations suggested that even among the hotels on the Coronation route which are raising their charges the highest increase is 50 per cent. I gave this answer in good faith, and I now wish to inform the House that the Chairman of the Coronation Accommodation Committee tells me that, owing to an error which is greatly regretted, the information was inaccurate.

I should add that I do not think there is any reasonable basis for comparing the charges made by various hotels during the Coronation period with their normal charges. The facilities offered and the expenses incurred differ greatly. I would strongly deprecate any attempt by hotels to exploit the shortage of accommodation during the Coronation period, but I am bound to say that I have no reason to suppose they are abusing their position. Statutory control of charges would be impracticable and unenforceable. I have no power to compel hotels to publish their charges and minimum periods of booking, nor would this serve any useful purpose, since virtually all hotel accommodation in London has been let.

Mr. Hall

While appreciating the fact that the Minister has been able to obtain much more correct information, would he ask the Coronation Accommodation Committee to make representations to the Hotels and Restaurants Association to see that the prices and stipulations are much more reasonable? Could not he also state the percentage increases in hotel charges?

Mr. Mackeson

I am genuinely satisfied that percentages would not give a proper impression; and I have no statutory obligation to give them. The situation is that accommodation in Central London is fully booked, but there is a good deal of accommodation within one and a half hours' journey of London. If hon. Members who know of overseas visitors requiring accommodation will let me and the Committee know they will be put in touch with the hotels concerned. Those hotels will have been inspected to make certain that they are not charging exorbitant prices.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Minister realise that what he has just said—that accommodation is available within one and a half hours' journey of London—takes one as far away as Ipswich?

Mr. Mackeson

I am sure that hotels in Ipswich and my own constituency will be very glad to offer accommodation.

Mr. Dodds

What about Aberdeen?

Mr. Gibson

Is the Minister aware that his answer will make people feel very suspicious that he is trying to cover something up? Cannot he tell the House, at any rate, what is the maximum percentage increase which is being charged by these hotels?

Mr. Mackeson

I cannot because very often these hotels do not have tariffs. It is impossible to get a percentage.

Miss Lee

Would the Minister agree that it is a considerable trading asset, as well as being a matter of international courtesy, that people in this country should not have the reputation of being cheap-jacks and excessive profiteers? May we assume that most hotels will not behave in this way? If so, it should be possible by a device comparable to the machinery we set up to deal with excessive charges for furnished lodgings for British citizens or foreigners who are treated in an outrageous fashion to present their excessive bills so that the matter can be corrected?

Mr. Mackeson

If the inquiries for accommodation are made through the Coronation Accommodation Committee investigations will already have been made both as to suitability and prices charged; but if visitors make their own bookings in London and pay what they are asked it is not for me to interfere.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at the time of the Olympic Games in Helsinki not only the hotels but all the other lodging keepers, shops and restaurants kept their prices at the normal level in order not to profiteer from the visiting public? Could not he try to get the same thing done here?

Mr. Mackeson

I was very much obliged for the information which the right hon. Gentleman kindly sent me on this subject; but our problem is a different one. I am satisfied that the vast majority of hotel-keepers will behave in a decent way in this matter.

Miss Burton

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Question No. 42.

Miss Burton

On a point of order. I want to ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker. The Minister wrote to me in this matter. Would you allow me to put a supplementary question to Question No. 41?

Mr. Speaker

We have spent a long time on this Question and in the interests of other hon. Members we should get on.

42. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Coronation Accommodation Committee concerning the suggestion that hotels in London should publish a list of the charges they intend making over the Coronation period and show thereon the percentage increase over normal rates.

Mr. Mackeson

I appreciate the motives which have led the hon. Member to make this suggestion, but I am afraid that it is impracticable. I have no power to require hotels to publish their charges. Further, not only is the number of hotels very large but the range of accommodation offered, even in a particular hotel, is often very wide. I think that to quote percentage increases, even if this were practicable, would often convey a very misleading impression since the additional facilities offered by hotels during the Coronation period, and the expenses incurred, vary greatly.

Miss Burton

I appreciate that the Minister is entirely dependent on the information given to him and I would not wish to be so ungenerous as to pursue that point. But could he tell me—as he assured me in writing he would—what increases have been made by the three hotels I named as making increases above those mentioned by the Coronation Accommodation Committee?

Mr. Mackeson

I do not think it is right that I should give information— [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I am trying to point out that I do not wish to impose commercial disadvantages on one or two hotels which have given information when others may have refused to do so.

Miss Burton

On a point of order. May I ask for your help on this matter. Mr. Speaker? I was under the impression that when a Question was asked in this House an answer had to be given to an hon. Member unless good reasons against it were advanced. Could I have an answer to my Question?

Mr. Mackeson

Further to that point of order. I think I treated the House and the hon. Lady with the greatest courtesy. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I do not think I have Ministerial responsibility for prices charged by hotels.

Mr. Speaker

In answer to the point of order, I have frequently ruled—

Mr. S. Silverman

On a point of order.

Mr. Speaker

I must answer one point of order at a time. In reply to the point of order raised by the hon. Lady, I have frequently ruled that it is not within my power to secure answers from Ministers which are satisfactory to hon. Members. It seems to me, if I may suggest it, that this is a very big matter which might well be the subject of debate rather than be pursued by Questions and answers.

Mr. Stokes

I understood the Minister to say, Sir, that he was not prepared to answer the Question, not because it would be to the disadvantage of anybody who is behaving fairly but because he did not want to give away people who were behaving unfairly. Surely that gives away the whole case. He ought to answer the Question.

Mr. Speaker

I did not read that into it. There are many occasions when Ministers do not answer, and it does not lie in my power to compel them to do so.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

As I understood, the Minister said earlier that when Question No. 41 was reached he would answer my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton). I understand that that answer has not yet been given.

Mr. Speaker

I am within the recollection of the House, but what I heard the Minister say was, "Perhaps the hon. Lady will wait until Question No. 41." She has waited and the result of her waiting does not seem to be satisfactory. but I cannot do anything about it.

Mr. S. Silverman

May I put this point to you, Mr. Speaker? This is not a case where a Minister has exercised his right not to answer a Question. In fact, he answered a Question on this point, and at the Box this afternoon he has told the House that his answer was wrong and that he gave mistaken information, having been misled himself, and therefore, having unwittingly misled the House. In those circumstances, is there not an obligation upon him to give the House the correct information instead of the incorrect information?

Mr. Speaker

It does not arise out of the original Question. The Minister has answered the original Question. He is now not satisfied that 50 per cent. was the limit. I think the matter probably requires another Question

Mr. Assheton

May I ask my hon. Friend what responsibility, if any, the President of the Board of Trade has for the fixing or control of the prices of hotel accommodation?

Mr. Mackeson

As far as I am aware, none.

Mr. Assheton

If that is the case, may I ask why these Questions are placed upon the Order Paper and why the Minister answers them?

Mr. Bottomley

As it is clear that this is a matter of great concern, may I point out that the Board of Trade has some responsibility; and in that connection, may I ask the Minister whether he will not ask the Travel and Holidays Association, for whom he is the Minister responsible in this House, to look into this matter and to report to him so that in due course he can make a further statement to the House?

Mr. Mackeson

As soon as the Coronation date was fixed, my right hon. Friend told the Association that he would look to them for assistance and advice.

Miss Ward

On a point of order. Would I be in order in asking Questions about the hotels of British Railways?

Mr. Speaker

So far, that question remains hypothetical.