§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department which countries maintain state-subsidised tourist bureaux in Great Britain for the purpose of encouraging British subjects to spend their holidays abroad; and in what countries similar bureaux are subsidised by the British Government?
§ Mr. GILLETTDirectly or indirectly State-subsidised tourist bureaux are maintained in Great Britain by Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. In addition, the Dominions and some Colonies also maintain such bureaux. As regards the last part of the question, no such bureaux are subsidised by the British Government abroad, but the Travel Association of Great Britain and Ireland 45W has opened an office in Buenos Aires and is about to open one in New York. At a later date it is hoped to have offices also in Paris and elsewhere.
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount of money spent on the encouragement of tourist traffic, during the last year for which figures are available, by the Governments of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden, respectively?
§ Mr. GILLETTHis Majesty's Government last year made a grant of £5,000 to the Travel Association of Great Britain and Ireland. I understand that last year France allocated 1,000,000 francs (£8,000) for national publicity services. In Italy and Sweden the sums available are 500,000 lire (£5,350) and 300,900 kronor (£16,650), respectively. As regards Germany, I have no information at present, but will let the hon. Member know when I have any.