HC Deb 10 November 1966 vol 735 cc1537-9
Q13. Sir C. Taylor

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the International Hotel Association about the £50 tourist limit; and what reply he has sent.

The Prime Minister

Neither I nor, so I understand, my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer nor the President of the Board of Trade, have any trace of such representations. But if the hon. Member has any other organisation in mind or has any information about the views of the International Hotel Association I should be grateful if he would let me know.

Sir C. Taylor

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting the British Travel Association to see whether it has any evidence of measures of retaliation, by either the European Hotel Corporation or foreign national tourist organisations against the "Come to Britain" campaign?

The Prime Minister

I certainly will make those inquiries. I am still not clear about the representations that the hon. Gentleman has in mind. It might be that what he has in mind is not what he calls the International Hotel Association but the International Union of Official Travel Organisations. I have that letter. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would also search through his files and see exactly what organisation it is, and what letter I am supposed to have received.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Did the First Lord of the Treasury think of consulting the other members of E.F.T.A. before imposing this limit so as to pay them the courtesy denied to them in 1964?

The Prime Minister

We took all the necessary steps to inform all concerned. This is, I think, an O.E.C.D. matter, which includes the countries of E.F.T.A., and the countries of O.E.C.D. were informed.

Mr. Liptonrose——

Mr. Ogden

Is my right hon. Friend aware of reports that there are many quite simple ways of avoiding the £50 limit? Would he ask his right hon. Friend to look at these reports?

The Prime Minister

If my hon. Friend has any information about ways of avoiding the £50 limit, I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be glad to have it.

Mr. Liptonrose——

Mr. Speaker

I would have called the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton), but as it was after half-past three, I called another supplementary on the last Question.