§ 10. Mr. J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total number of visitors from Canada and the United States of America, respectively, visited Scotland during the years 1954 and 1955, up to the end of September.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am informed that between January and September, 1955, 20,000 Canadian visitors and 95,000 from 1825 the U.S.A. came to Scotland. The comparable figures for the same period in 1954 were 19,600 and 81,000 respectively.
§ Mr. HutchisonThese are very important figures. Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the proposal of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company to withdraw sailings direct to the Clyde from Canada? Although I realise that my right hon. Friend has no direct responsibility, cannot he use his good offices to try to persuade the company not to take this action, which will be particularly harmful to the tourist industry in Scotland?
§ Mr. StuartI can assure my hon. Friend that I will do all I can. I know about this matter, and in conjunction with the Scottish Tourist Board we are doing our best to bring pressure upon the company.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that tourist traffic is now probably Scotland's biggest industry, certainly at certain times of the year, and one of our best dollar earners? Is he aware that it is important that some steps should be taken to assist the Scottish Tourist Board to try to have this facility continued? Many people from overseas visit Scotland, and is not that a reason why we should do our best to enable them to travel to Scotland direct?
§ Mr. StuartWe shall do our best in that direction. The tourist industry, of course, is not our only dollar earner.