§ 14. Mr. Grimondasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated cost, in dollars, would be this year of allowing a travel allowance for the United States of America at the same rate as for non-dollar countries.
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is impossible to estimate at all closely what the cost would be, but it would certainly be substantial.
§ Mr. GrimondOn what has the Chancellor based his decision not to allow it, and does the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that the ordinary traveller will ever be able to go to the United States again?
§ Mr. MaudlingI would be most anxious to provide exchange travel facilities and exchange for travellers to all parts of the world, but we have to have regard to the dollar balance of payments, and, in the present state of the dollar reserves, it would not be justifiable to have a dollar travel allowance.