NATIONAL DEBT SMALLER

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25638, 29 October 1948, Page 7

NATIONAL DEBT SMALLER

FIRST FALL IN BRITAIN SINCE 1939 (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 28. Britain’s national debt, which had been rising steadily since 1939, was reduced by £9,882,297 during the year ended March 31. A White Paper setting out Britain’s balance-sheet gives the existing national debt at £25,620.762,603, compared with £25,630,644,900 in March, 1947. TOURIST TRADE IN BRITAIN SUCCESSFUL YEAR REPORTED (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 28. Britain in the past year had earned more from her tourist trade than any other European country, said the chairman of the Travel Association (Lord Hacking). Of the total influx into Britain in the first nine months of 410,000 visi* tors. 86,600 were Americans. Tourist recepits so far for 1948 were £40,000.000. Lord Hacking said that Britain expected 560.000 visitors in J 049. DIRECTION OF LABOUR IN BRITAIN CONTINUATION IN 1949 RECOMMENDED (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 28. Representatives of British employers and the trade union movement have agreed to recommend that the direction of labour be continued in Britain for another year. The Control of Engagement Order is due to expire on December 31. The decision was made by the National Joint Advisory Council, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Labour (Mr G. R. Strauss).