§ 10. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent his Department provides tourist or other information at inquiry desks at United Kingdom airports; and how far this includes publicity for promising factory locations that might interest visiting industrialists, etc.
§ Mr. HayLondon Airport is the only airport where my Department provides its own inquiry desk, and this is intended primarily to answer inquiries about aircraft movements. Information and publicity about factory locations is not available at this desk, but inquiries on these points are referred to the Board of Trade or the Federation of British Industries, as appropriate.
§ Mr. MaitlandWould my hon. Friend consider establishing similar inquiry desks at airports in Scotland to which visiting industrialists and tourists might be directed—for example, tourists who might be interested in the history of the village of Douglas where the Scots won many battles against the English and which is now open to industry—and will he publicise this fact?
§ Mr. HayI think it important to bear in mind what has already been done in this way. In Scotland the Scottish Tourist Board issues pamphlets once or twice a year drawing attention to industries in Scottish counties. It gives supplies of those pamphlets direct to our airports in Scotland and, where possible, they are displayed in passenger lounges. If it were apparent that there was a substantial demand for more facilities of that kind, I certainly should be willing to look into the matter.