HC Deb 24 November 1953 vol 521 cc187-8
44. Mrs. White

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply has been made to the request of the Welsh Tourist Board that it should receive a direct grant.

Mr. Amory

The Welsh Tourist Board has appealed against the decision not to provide a direct grant, and has now been told that its request for financial assistance will be reconsidered when the survey of the Welsh tourist industry, which the British Travel and Holidays Association is undertaking at my request, has been completed.

Mrs. White

While the amount of those grants may depend upon the result of the survey, would the Minister not agree with the principle that a direct grant is desirable? Would he also consult with the Minister for Welsh Affairs about the desirability of not making Welsh organisations appear subservient to British ones?

Mr. Amory

I can assure the hon. Lady straight away that that is no part of our object at all. As regards the first part of her supplementary question, the object of these grants is to attract overseas visitors to Britain, and therefore in general the planning of expenditure can best be carried out by the central organisation, the British Travel and Holiday Association. However, the point which she has raised generally will not be overlooked. We are anxious to encourage overseas visitors to visit the Principality in as great numbers as possible.

Mr. H. Morrison

Is the Minister aware that that is no answer to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) as to whether the Minister for Welsh Affairs is being consulted? Surely that is what he is for. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the opinion on this subject of the Minister specially designated to protect Wales?

Mr. Amory

My right hon. and learned Friend has met the Welsh Tourist Board and has begun already to assert friendly pressure on me and my Department. We have been in very close touch on this matter.

Mr. Gower

Can my right hon. Friend say whether his Department is ready to succumb to such friendly pressure?

Mr. Amory

I can only tell my hon. Friend that whenever I have visited Wales I have had such a friendly reception that I have been wanting to go back there as early as possible.

Mr. G. Thomas

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate how long it will be before a reply to the Welsh Tourist Board will be forthcoming?

Mr. Amory

I am hoping that the survey which I mentioned will be completed within three or four weeks. We shall have the result then and we shall consider it without any unnecessary delay.