HC Deb 10 July 1968 vol 768 cc504-6
21. Mr. Hall-Davis

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the specific recommendations of the Bland Committee in respect of the hotel and tourist industry; and when he intends to implement them.

Mr. William Rodgers

The Government's proposals for assistance to the hotel industry were described in the White Paper on Hotel Development Incentives (Command 3633) published on 21st May. Estimates have been published separately of international fare payments and of the amounts spent by overseas visitors on goods not included in the travel account of the balance of payments.

Mr. Hall-Davis

Whilst we welcome the Government's beginning to edge towards taking the advice we have been offering from this side of the House for the past three years, can we now persuade the right hon. Gentleman to bring forward a major and comprehensive programme of assistance to the tourist industry?

Mr. Rodgers

Without accepting the assumption in the hon. Gentleman's question, I think that I can say that we are certainly moving towards a full statement on tourist policy.

22. Mr. Blaker

asked the President of the Board of Trade when, in view of the request of the hotel and catering industry for further clarification of the detailed arrangements in the Hotel Development Incentive Scheme, he will make a further statement.

Mr. William Rodgers

Not at the moment

Mr. Blaker

The Minister will no doubt agree that the main object of the Hotel Development Incentive Scheme is to encourage the industry to produce many more hotel beds rapidly. Does not he agree that the industry might be more prepared to do this at once if it were aware of the conditions which will be attached by the Government to their loan and grant scheme? Cannot a statement be made setting them out?

Mr. Rodgers

I should hink that the industry's first priority would be consultation, and we are now consulting with it prior to introducing legislation.

23. Mr. Blaker

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the conclusions of the study of further measures to promote the development of the tourist industry, to which reference was made in paragraph 44 in the White Paper on Hotel Development Incentives.

Mr. William Rodgers

As soon as possible.

Mr. Blaker

Is the Minister aware that the report of the little Neddy recommended specifically that the hotel industry should be put on a par with manufacturing industry in connection with industrial building allowances and investment grants? Will he bear these points in mind when the statement is being prepared?

Mr. Rodgers

Yes, Sir. I shall certainly bear them in mind. The important thing is to have incentives which are fully tailored to the industry's special needs. That is why we published our White Paper.

34. Mr. Miscampbell

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to implement the recommendation of the Hotel and Catering Economic Development Council that the same assistance should be available to hotels as is extended to industrial establishments.

Mr. William Rodgers

As paragraph 11 of the White Paper on Hotel Development Incentives explains, the Government do not propose to treat hotels in the same way as industrial establishments; instead we propose grants and loans specially designed to meet the circumstances of the hotel industry.

Mr. Miscampbell

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the urgency of help to the hotel industry, because the low return on its investment at present is inhibiting new hotel building, as has been pointed out time and again to the Government?

Mr. Rodgers

I do not think that there is anything between us on this point, which is that we must help the hotel industry and tourism and so help Britain. Having published the White Paper, the Government will proceed as fast as we can with legislation.

Mr. Higgins

While there is delay in introducing the scheme, the hotel industry continues to bear the heavy burden of the Selective Employment Tax. Taxing the industry on the one hand and distributing money to it on the other is not likely to produce an independent, large industry which will benefit our balance of payments position.

Mr. Rodgers

I am aware of the arguments, but now that we have the White Paper we should all try to help the industry with the provisions we are making for it.