§ 2.37 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they intend to make an increase in the Basic Travel Allowance when the present one expires on 1st November, and whether an early announcement could be made to enable travel agents to prepare their programmes for the winter holidays and for 1953.]
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT SWINTON)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer appreciates the desire of the travel agents to know on what basis to prepare their programmes, and hopes to announce very shortly what the new basic travel allowance will be.
LORD GIFFORDMy Lords, arising out of that answer, I wonder whether Her Majesty's Government realise that any increase, however small it is, has a considerable moral effect overseas on sterling and the stability thereof.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, I am sure that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will have in mind all the relevant considerations.