§ Sir A. M. SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in order to assist the development of incoming tourist traffic, he will instruct his officials to collect information showing which of the overseas temporary visitors are foreigners or British subjects, which are holiday makers or persons on business, or seamen or students; also data as to the approximate average length of their stay here, together with an analysis of the objectives which are attracting holiday makers from overseas to this country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAs regards the first part of the question, the annual statistics published by the Home Office distinguish the classes of foreigners entering the United Kingdom on the lines indicated. The return for 1933 is Command Paper 4593. As regards British subjects, whether resident here or overseas, I regret that no official figures are available. With regard to the last part of the question, my hon. Friend will appreciate that it is a matter of delicacy to interrogate visitors as to their precise reasons for coming to this country for a holiday, since the purpose of these inquiries might be misunderstood. It is, however, the task of the travel association to put before the potential visitor to Great Britain the varied attractions of this country, and a continuous study is made of the special features likely to attract particular classes of visitors.