§ 42. Mr. Awberyasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the rapidly growing number of tourists coming to and going out of this country; and if he 227 will appoint a Minister of Tourism to give advice and guidance to the British holiday industry in order to obtain for the United Kingdom a greater share of this international industry.
§ The Prime MinisterI welcome the increase of tourist traffic. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir".
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Prime Minister aware that some countries on the Continent derive a large amount of their revenue, if not the greater part of it, from the tourist trade? Is he aware that the tourist trade is expanding rapidly in this country and that thousands of people are opening up independent agencies? Will he do something to co-ordinate this industry so that we can get the maximum of benefit from it?
§ The Prime MinisterThe tourist trade is, of course, of very great importance to us. Our earnings from this source increased between 1958 and 1959 from £138 million to £155 million. I must, of course, say that a lot of our people go abroad and spend a great deal of money too, and all that perhaps helps the world to go on. What I am asked is whether the appointment of a Minister with this co-ordinating function is wise or necessary. While there are a good many offices concerned with different aspects—such as the Home Office with the licensing laws, the dates of summer time, passports, Customs and so on—I do not really think that a Minister would have a rôle to play which would be valuable. I think it is best for us to work through the inter-Departmental methods, using as our main agent the British Travel and Holidays Association, which, in my opinion, does a very good job.