HC Deb 20 February 1962 vol 654 cc180-1
6. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the importance of extending the Scottish hotel tourist industry, what evidence he has collected during the last six months directed towards the advisability of making loans, on favourable terms, for building, extending and improving hotels in Scotland.

Mr. Erroll

None, Sir.

Mr. Hughes

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware of the special meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science which is being organised in Scotland for 1963? Will the right hon. Gentleman, in the meantime, circularise the hotels and inform them with a view to their taking special advantage of the opportunities which this meeting in 1963 will offer?

Mr. Erroll

I think that the British Travel and Holidays Association would be the most effective body to do what the hon. Gentleman suggests.

Mr. MacArthur

Is not it a fact that facilities of this kind already exist through the Highland Tourist Development Company Ltd., in the Highlands and near the Highlands? Can my right hon. Friend say to what extent the hotels in the Highlands and nearby have availed themselves of these facilities?

Mr. Erroll

I am glad to endorse what has been said by my hon. Friend about the good work of the Highland Tourist Development Company Ltd. Regarding what it might do about the proposal of the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes), as the meeting to which he referred is not until 1963, I should have thought that there is time enough to take it into account.