§ 79. Mr. Anthony Greenwoodasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many hotels and other holiday establishments are blamed for deficiencies which it is not in their power to remedy; and if he will make a statement on the steps being taken to overcome these deficiencies.
§ Mr. H. WilsonYes. The Government have done their best to make available to hotels, boarding-houses and holiday camps which suffered during the war from enemy action, requisitioning or billeting and those of special importance to overseas visitors special supplies of equipment, furnishings, linen, etc., as well as to facilitate structural renovations and repairs. More help will be given, through the British Tourist and Holidays Board, as soon as possible. But the goods which hotels, etc., need for their industry are much the same things as the housewife needs for her home and in many cases are also most valuable exports; and it is not possible, from the production at present available, to satisfy all these claims.
I hope, therefore, that holidaymakers of all kinds will realise that holiday establishments are of necessity working under the handicap of deficiencies of equipment and will make proper allowances if, for example, they are asked to bring their own towels and soap, if hot water is not always as abundant as they could wish, if sheets are patched. They are entitled, however, to look for those things which even with shortages of staff are already within the reach of all establishments, courtesy, skill in the preparation of food, and the giving of good value for money. I am sure that the industry will do everything it can to provide this quality of service even though material resources are somewhat lacking. If they do, then, by the provision of good holidays for our own people and the development of our 137W overseas tourist trade, they will be making a material contribution to the economic health of this country.