HL Deb 07 February 1963 vol 246 cc697-8
LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state the closest approximate total of the amount of money that is spent by visitors annually in Great Britain and also the approximate amount of English goods they buy either before or after, that can be fairly attributed to reasons created while they are in Great Britain such as clothes, antiques, et cetera.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD DERWENT)

My Lords. It is provisionally estimated that in 1962 about £220 million was spent in the United Kingdom by overseas visitors, and a further £100 million or so for international travel to and from the United Kingdom was paid to British carriers. These are the highest figures ever recorded. The estimate of £220 million includes receipts from visitors' shopping for personal and household effects to be exported in their personal baggage. It does not include expenditure on other goods such as antiques and cars, which are not included in their personal baggage. Such items are included in the totals for these items in the Trade and Navigation Accounts, but it is not possible to say what proportion of the totals represents purchases by tourists.

It is reasonable to assume that one indirect effect of tourism to this country is to increase demand for British goods among returned travellers, but it is not possible to put a figure to this.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that illuminating Answer. Is it not one of the most satisfactory exports we make? Is it likely that this will continue if our buildings of great character and charm are progressively destroyed and replaced by structures without these qualities that can be seen in many countries without people going to the trouble and expense of coming to Great Britain?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, if the noble Lord will put his Question down every five years I will give him the Answer.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, has the Minister any information as to the revenue yield in the sale of castles and churches, that has become quite common in the last few years?

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, would the Government look at the question of encouraging the hotel trade to deal with the very important influx of overseas visitors by helping them to overcome the disabilities of purchase tax and other matters of that kind?

LORD DERWENT

The noble Lord's supplementary question will be noted, but it has nothing to do with the Question on the Order Paper.

LORD BOSSOM

May I further thank the noble Lord; but will be get a life assurance carried out so that I shall be able to ask that Question every five years?

LORD DERWENT

Provided the noble Lord pays the premium.

LORD BOSSOM

I am perfectly willing to do that.

LORD TAYLOR

My Lords, does the noble Lord consider a life assurance to be a guarantee of perpetual life?