§ 3.5 p.m.
LORD LLOYDMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Barnby, I beg to ask the question standing in his name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether, in view of their authoritative encouragement of United States and Canadian visitors coming to this country, they will arrange to remove one of the adverse impressions conveyed to, and inconveniences incurred by, such visitors and arrange that apparel may be freely bought without coupons by visitors when payment is tendered in United States or Canadian currency.]
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, arrangements already exist whereby overseas visitors can order reasonable quantities of most non-utility rationed goods from retailers for delivery abroad. The only practicable extension of this arrangement would be to give a generous allowance of coupons to visitors; but whilst rationing is at its present level the right honourable and learned gentleman, the President of the Board of Trade, does not regard this as justified. In any case there was a doubt whether a particular class of visitors such as those mentioned in the question should be singled out for special treatment.