§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the invisible trade balance on account of travel in 1952 and 1963, respectively; and what action he is taking to attract more tourists to this country and obtain a more favourable balance.
§ Mr. MasonIn 1963 overseas visitors spent £199 million in the United Kingdom, and United Kingdom residents288W spent £244 million abroad. The comparable figures for 1952 were £80 million and £83 million respectively. These figures exclude the net credit on fares paid by passengers travelling to and from this country, which is sufficient to redress the balance.
As regards the latter part of the Question, I shall continue to give full support to the energetic promotional activities of the British Travel Association.