§ Mr. Brintonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the movement in British hotel prices compared with the rest of the world in the most recent year.
§ Mrs. Sally Oppenheim[pursuant to her reply, 9 November 1981, c. 15]: Eighteen months ago London had a somewhat unjust reputation for having expensive hotel prices. However, this year's Financial Times survey showed that in the first-class category there were now 25 major cities in the world with hotel prices more expensive than London. So these London hotels are a long way from being top of the high price league. According to research by the British Tourist Authority in the period October 1980 to June 1981 the average price of a double room with 190W continental breakfast in a three-star hotel in London remained static while the sterling equivalent price for comparable accommodation in 14 other cities throughout the world rose by between 1 per cent. and 57 per cent.; prices in six other cities fell by between 1 per cent. and 19 per cent.