HC Deb 07 February 1961 vol 634 c182
2. Mr. P. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in providing improved facilities for travel between East Africa and the Seychelles.

Mr. H. Fraser

With effect from 1959 the British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd. increased the number of its calls at Seychelles on its services between Mombasa and India by six in each direction each year.

I regret to say that negotiations for the introduction of a flying-boat service have proved unfruitful. Nevertheless, other solutions are under consideration.

Mr. Williams

Can my hon. Friend give any encouragement to the House in this matter, because the ability of this Colony to raise its own standard of living depends to a large degree on the tourist trade? If anything can be done to provide improved facilities for tourism, it will be worth while not only in removing some of the financial burdens from this country but in enabling the Colony to pull itself up to a certain extent.

Mr. Fraser

I have this point very much in mind.