§ 11. Sir W. Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a com plaint by the Scottish Tourist Board that financial considerations are preventing the Board from expanding the scope of its work: and if he will now announce the steps he proposes to take to enable the Board adequately to implement the Government's policy of encouraging the tourist industry.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is aware that the Scottish Tourist Board requires all the financial support which it can obtain, and he hopes that its appeal for funds will be supported by all those who are interested in the development of the tourist industry in Scotland. The scale of the overseas activities of the Board which are paid for out of the Government grant to the British Travel and Holidays Association has been considerably increased this year.
As regards further steps, I cannot add meanwhile to the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave on 2nd June to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) and the right hon. Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn).
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayIs my hon. Friend aware that while the recent complaint by the Board about lack of funds was occasioned by disappointment at the fact that it might not receive from local authorities all that it had hoped for, the fact is that we have to maintain this Board adequately financed, otherwise it cannot get on with its job?
§ Mr. MacphersonYes, Sir. As my Answer indicated, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is doing everything he can, and my noble Friend the Minister of State drew attention to this matter in his address at the annual meeting of the Tourist Association of Scotland on 24th April. I hope very much that local authorities will note what he said. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is also having discussions on the subject of special assistance for tourism in the Highlands.