§ Sir Tom Mooreasked the Minister of Works the arrangements which he has made with the hotels in Central London, whereby they may not accept reservations for more than five nights; whether he is aware of the difficulties which these arrangements entail for business men who have travelled long distances from overseas to open up commercial relations with this country; and whether he will consult with the President of the Board of Trade with a view to ensuring that such visitors receive the same consideration and priority as officials.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have made no such arrangements. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service that, early in the war, arrangements were made by which the staffing difficulties of hotels catering mainly for travellers were specially recognised, but that these arrangements came to an end in 1943. Demands on hotel accommodation, especially during the next few months, are likely to be very heavy, and I hope that no onewill book accommodation in hotels in Central London unless essential and that visitors will limit their stay to as short a period as possible. My Department has been in touch with the Department of Overseas Trade on the matter.