HC Deb 28 January 1954 vol 522 cc1957-8
43. Brigadier Clarke

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Portsmouth Trades Council regarding the closing of Her Majesty's dockyard for two weeks at the peak of the holiday season

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

None, Sir.

Brigadier Clarke

Does my right hon. Friend realise that all the dockyard workers and commercial interests in Portsmouth are opposed to the closing of the dockyard for two weeks? Will he do something about the commercial interests of Portsmouth?

Mr. Thorneycroft

No one has presented anything to me.

44. Brigadier Clarke

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding staggered holidays

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Holiday dates must, of course, depend on the decisions of individuals and on the normal methods of settling them in industry, but it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage people as far as is practicable to take their holidays outside the peak holiday periods.

Brigadier Clarke

Would my right hon. Friend draw the attention of the Admiralty to his statement?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The Admiralty take notice of all my answers.

Mr. Harold Davies

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that if his Department does not investigate the possibility of East and West trade there will be plenty of staggered holidays in some industries?

Mr. Noel-Baker

In view of the importance of the tourist industry, has the President consulted the Transport Commission about staggering holidays possibly by Government and public action?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Consultations have proceeded on a number of occasions with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation and the British Travel and Holidays Association, both of whom are concerned with this question. We all recognise that some staggering of holidays would be a great advantage.

Mr. Colegate

Is not the main difficulty in the question of staggered holidays the dates of the school holidays? Will my right hon. Friend consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education on the subject?

Mr. Thorneycroft

My hon. Friend's question shows that quite a number of persons are concerned in this particular matter.