HC Deb 16 December 1964 vol 704 cc381-2
40. Mr. Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to improve the tourist industry in Scotland.

Mr. Ross

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Sir W. AnstrutherGray) on 14th December.

Mr. Hutchison

Has the Secretary of State worked out what damage the fuel tax has done to hotel keepers and other traders in outlying parts of Scotland? What does he intend to do about it?

Mr. Ross

If the rest of the residents of Scotland were as gloomy as the hon. Gentleman, we should have no chance of getting any tourists at all.

Mr. Noble

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember how incredibly gloomy he was about Scotland in the last few years?

Mr. Ross

And I have every reason, because the right hon. Gentleman sought to cure all our tourist difficulties by a Countryside Bill, and after reflection he tore the thing up realising that it was a non-starter.