§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table setting out the value of the travel allowance in cash terms and in terms of real value at 1969 British prices for each year since 1951.
§ Mr. TaverneThe following table shows the basic travel allowance for adults in the main tourist season of each year since 1951 (changes were made on varying dates). The figures in brackets show the approximate values of the allowance in terms of real internal pur-72W chasing power at mid-1969 prices. The estimated changes in internal purchasing power have been based on annual movements in the consumer price index with a provisional figure for 1969 based on the index of retail prices.
Changes in internal purchasing power are not strictly relevant in this instance. The value of the travel allowance depends on where it is spent. The exchange rate with the country visited and the cost of living there are the most important factors. There can be wide variations between one country and another and between one year and another.
Following is the table:
The "dollar area" (Including U.S.A. and Canada) Other countries £ £ 1951 … Nil 100 (176) 1952 … Nil 25 (42) 1953 … Nil 40 (65) 1954 … Nil 50 (80) 1955 … Nil 100 (155) 1956 … Nil 100 (149) £ 1957 … 100 (144) 1958 … 100 (140) 1959 … 100 (139) 1960–1966 … No restriction 1967 … 50 (55) 1968 … 50 (53) 1969 … 50 (50)