17. Mr. Slaterasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in British Guiana in the building up of the tourist industry; how the figures for 1957 compare with those for 1956; and what assistance is being given from his Department to the Government of British Guiana in this enterprise.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThere are few tourists at present, but the British Guiana Government's policy is to encourage the hotel industry by tax and customs concessions, and to open up the interior as rapidly as is practicable. There is a Tourist Bureau, operated by a Government-appointed Committee whose functions are under review. The number of tourists in 1956 and 1957 was 482 and 448 respectively. No direct assistance has been sought from Her Majesty's Government but several Colonial Development and Welfare grants have been made, and others are under consideration, for development of the interior and improvement of communications.
Mr. SlaterIs the Minister aware that much depends on the building up of the tourist industry in British Guiana and that any form of assistance that can be given through his Department will be welcomed by the people of British Guiana?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCertainly.