§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the fact that youth hostels in London are few in number, difficult to locate, and frequently overcrowded they would encourage steps to alleviate this problem.]
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, there is no Ministerial responsibility for youth hostel accommodation as such, but both local authorities and voluntary organisations are well seized of the problem and are doing everything that they can to meet the demand.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, may I guardedly thank the noble Earl for that rather unsatisfactory reply? Is he aware that under the Development of Tourism Act 1969 the sum of £50 million was set aside for hotel construction and improvement? Can he tell the House whas has now become of that Act and what steps the Government propose to take to deal with this increasingly serious problem?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, it was under the Development of Tourism Act that the London Tourist Board and the tourist authorities were set up. It is their job to look after the problems of tourism. I think it is unlikely that there will ever be sufficient accommodation at peak periods to meet all the demands that are likely to come from people, particularly from the Continent, who are looking 1114 specifically for cheap accommodation.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that these youth hostels are fully booked up for months ahead and that young tourists crowd the pavements outside them clamouring for accommodation? Can the Government really do nothing at all to attempt to cater for this enormous demand by young people who may well be among the leaders of Europe during the next few years?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, we are very anxious to encourage young people to come to this country, but we advise that they try to come out of season and arrange their accommodation in advance and, if possible, stay outside central London.
§ BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEYMy Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that if some of these young people are likely to become leaders of Europe they should be a little more responsible about finding out where they are going and where they are going to stay?
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the sum of £50 million which was referred to arose from a Bill proposed by noble Lords opposite, when there was no limit to sums of money which might be spent, and that the larger part of that sum was spent on the larger hotel chains and not on the smaller hotels and family businesses or for the benefit of those who provide accommodation at cheaper rates?
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, would not the noble Earl agree that the charges made by these enormous modern hotels are far beyond the reach of the majority of visitors who come to this country, and is this not an important section of our tourist industry that ought to be catered for?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, it is for this very purpose that the Tourist Boards were set up, to ensure that such tourism as can be encouraged will be adequately catered for. But I can assure the noble Lord, reverting to his original Question, that youth hostel accommodation is not within the purview of Her Majesty's Government.