HC Deb 09 March 1971 vol 813 c246
Q8. Sir D. Walker-Smith

asked the Prime Minister which minister is responsible for the co-ordination and supervision of matters arising out of the needs of tourists in this country, with particular reference to the adequacy of transport facilities both public and hired; whether he is satisfied with such arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has a general responsibility for policy on tourism and for ensuring that Government Departments are aware of the interests of tourists and take them into account as appropriate. The provision of transport facilities is in the first instance a matter for the relevant private and public undertakings.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that tourists would very much welcome some assistance in these matters? Has he had leisure to observe in the tourist season the melancholy spectacle of tourists frustratedly gesticulating at bespoken taxi-cabs and forlornly queuing up for those bewildering London buses which seem, like Wordsworth's clouds, to move all together, when they move at all? Can something be done to help them, in their own interests and in the interests of the balance of payments?

The Prime Minister

The impact of these aspects of London life is not, of course, limited to tourists. I share my right hon, and learned Friend's desire that as a nation we should do everything possible to welcome tourists, for their own sake and also because of the balance of payments. I will gladly get my right hon. Friends to see what can be done to make facilities for tourists more accessible. The points which my right hon. and learned Friend mentions are very largely matters for the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for the Environment.