§ Mr. Teelingasked the Minister of Works whether he will give an assurance that, in tightening building controls and reducing the exemption limit of licensing, nothing will be done to curtail the maintenance and improvement of hotels, as such buildings are already in a less favourable position in this respect than private houses and designated buildings, and as they can contribute materially to the dollar earnings of the country.
§ Mr. KeyHotels cannot escape a share in the necessary reduction of investment in building, but essential maintenance and repair up to a reasonable standard will continue to be allowed. As regards improvements it is proposed to continue, in collaboration with the Board of Trade, the system of giving preference to those hotels which can contribute most to dollar earnings.