HC Deb 13 March 1956 vol 550 cc199-200
10. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 212,000 overseas visitors to Scotland last summer came by air transport and how many by sea; and, of these, how many entered via the Clyde.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

I am informed by the Scottish Tourist Board that from the beginning of June to the end of September, 1955, some 26,300 people from overseas entered Scotland at Prestwick Airport; 3,700 disembarked on the Clyde and 1.200 at Scottish East Coast ports; the rest arrived via other parts of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Rankin

The Question refers to overseas visitors. Is the Minister aware that in his reply he covers only about 30,000 visitors? How, then, did the remaining 180,000 overseas visitors come into Scotland?

Mr. Stewart

By train or road.

Mr. Rankin

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I was informed last Tuesday that 75,000 of these people came from the United States. Upon what railway did they travel when coming from the United States?

Mr. Stewart

I understand that they could have boarded a train at Kings Cross or Euston.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, for the Minister to supply information which is completely false? Last Tuesday I was told that 212,000 overseas visitors came to Scotland. The number is now reduced to 30,000. Which number is correct?

Mr. Stewart

The hon. Member should not confuse himself. The figure given in the reply shows that out of 212,000 visitors only 31,000 arrived in Scotland direct. The others came via England. It is quite clear.

Mr. Rankin

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member intervened in the guise of a point of order which was not a point of order at all. He is merely trying to prolong the discussion. We have not time to have a discussion on every Question.

Mr. Rankin

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I have no time to deal further with that point of order. If the hon. Gentleman is rising to a fresh point of order, I am bound to listen to it, but it should be a true point of order.

Mr. Rankin

Is it in order for a Minister to tell us that England comes under the designation of "overseas"?

Mr. Speaker

I did not hear that said, and it has nothing to do with me, anyhow.