§ 11. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking in 1967 to attract more foreign visitors to historic monuments in his charge.
§ Mr. PrenticeIn the first five months of 1967, sales of overseas visitors' tickets were 78 per cent. above those during the same period in 1966. More guide-books are being published in translation, and there are more notices on monuments in foreign languages. United States and Canadian dollars are already accepted at some monuments and French currency is now being taken at Dover Castle.
§ Dame Irene WardWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that information, may I ask him whether there are any foreign-language-speaking guides available, following the very good example of the guides in London, particularly in view of the fact that we are spending so much teaching foreign languages in our schools and other places?
§ Mr. PrenticeI should like notice of that question, but I will look into it.
§ 17. Mr. Moreasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what facilities for increased public access he has provided in 1967 at historic monuments in his charge.
§ Mr. PrenticeOne new monument has been opened at Rycote Chapel, Oxfordshire. More rooms have been opened at Audley End, Essex; and a new access is provided at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire. There are new or improved car parks at four other monuments.
§ Mr. MoreAs regards the less-visited monuments in the Minister's charge, may I ask whether his Department takes any active steps to encourage visitors by getting in touch with appropriate organisations, to arrange coach tours and things of that sort?
§ Mr. PrenticeYes, we take a number of steps of that kind and do everything we can to publicise our ancient monuments. The figures for the increase in visitors that I announced in reply to another hon. Member just now are an indication of our success in this sphere.