§ Q1. Mr. Goodhartasked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a Minister for Tourism.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)No, Sir.
§ Mr. GoodhartDoes the Prime Minister appreciate that the United Nations is thinking of designating 1967 as international tourist year? Does he believe that there is no prospect of restoring the savage cut in travel allowance during this international tourist year? How long does he expect to have to continue his West of Margate policy?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, certainly, the United Nations are acting, as the hon. Member has said, but, of course, we do not need a Minister for Tourism because this is one of the responsibilities of the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of State and the British Travel and Holidays Association. So far as the tourist allowance is concerned, the amount allowed is considerably above the average which has been taken in recent years.
§ Mr. HeathIs it not true that the Minister of State at the Board of Trade is Minister for Tourism, unless the Prime Minister has changed the previous arrangements which held for some time? Would he not agree that the present sort of measures, such as the Selective Employment Tax, which puts another £20 million burden on the British hotel industry, make it much less attractive to tourists and that, of course, the provision the Prime Minister made for a loan of £5 million in no way offsets that?
§ The Prime MinisterIt has always been the position, right from the days when the Secretary of State for Overseas Trade was dealing with these matters, that he is the Minister who has responsibility for 1876 tourist matters, but, so far as the Selective Employment Tax is concerned, the right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the House had adequate time to debate and it is now the decision of the House.
§ Mr. HeathThe fact that the House has debated it does not alter the fact that the hotel industry, providing for tourists and attracting overseas tourists to this country, is being badly damaged by the additional burden of £20 million.
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman will be well aware from his own experience at the Board of Trade that not all the hotels add to this £20 million. In fact, only a relatively small proportion cater for overseas tourists, and they will be helped by the announcement I made on 20th July.