HC Deb 23 January 1970 vol 794 c218W
Mr. Ashton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department will make arrangements to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the sailing of the "Mayflower", in view of its importance to the tourist trade; and how many tourists he estimates will come to this country for this anniversary.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

The Board of Trade makes a grant in aid to the British Tourist Authority, whose functions include encouraging people to visit Great Britain from overseas. The authority, in continuing work done by the British Travel Association, is making the Mayflower Anniversary a particular feature of its promotional effort in the United States. It is not possible to give an estimate of the number of visitors who will come to this country for this event but preliminary reports indicate that it has aroused considerable interest.

Mr. Ashton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make the payment necessary to enable the Tourist Board to give financial assistance to the Parish Council of Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, in order to commemorate the anniversary of the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers, and to help the village to receive United States visitors.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

I am not aware that the Parish Council of Scrooby has asked the English Tourist Board for financial assistance for the purpose mentioned but it would be for the Tourist Board to consider whether any assistance could be given from its grant-in-aid.