HC Deb 20 November 1950 vol 481 cc18-9W
Captain Bullock

asked the Minister of Education whether arrangements will be made during the summer holiday period in 1951 to provide temporary accommodation in the schools of this country for the large number of students from France and other Western European countries who are anxious to visit Great Britain during the Festival year but will not be able to do so unless facilities of that kind are made available.

Mr. Tomlinson

The British Travel and Holidays Association has opened registers of individuals and institutions willing to provide short-term accommodation for overseas visitors to the Festival of Britain. Accommodation for this purpose has been offered by a number of schools and colleges, with whom the Association will put such inquirers in touch.

Captain Bullock

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take to encourage local authorities to provide during the Festival year holiday camps in the areas under their control in order to provide accommodation for students and young persons from France and other foreign countries.

Mr. Tomlinson

The main demand for accommodation of this type is likely to centre on London. To help to meet this demand the London County Council have accepted responsibility for the management of the Clapham Deep Shelter from 1st March, 1951, to 30th September, 1951. There will also be a large tented camp, run by a voluntary organisation, at Chigwell, and there may be one further camping site near London. In all this accommodation a measure of priority will be given to parties of overseas visitors, including students and young people. Neither my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health nor I propose to take other steps to encourage local education authorities to provide holiday camps to accommodate overseas visitors to the Festival of Britain.