08 February 2010
Ruth Rendell questions Government about giving families a break
House of Lords question raises awareness of Social Tourism

On Monday 8 February The Baroness Rendell of Babergh, Ruth Rendell, the well known author and patron of the Family Holiday Association questioned the Government on its attitude towards social tourism.

 

On behalf of the Government, Lord Davies of Oldham (Deputy Chief Whip) replied that the Government understood the value of access to leisure and tourism activities for all and that social tourism is advantageous to families who are less well off, and there is evidence that people benefit from holidays.  In response to Ruth Rendell and questions from other members of the Lords, he said the Government was sympathetic to social tourism but that the Government prefer to ensure that increased resources are available for families to make their choices.

 

You can watch the exchange below.

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And you can read a transcript of the question by clicking here.

 

The question was also featured in the following day's BBC Radio 4 programme "Yesterday in Parliament".  Again you can listen to the clip below.

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The director of the Family Holiday Association, John McDonald, said " I was present in the chamber when our patron Lady Rendell asked her question and was impressed by the interest and constructive contributions made by her fellow members. 

 

"Clearly we have some way to go in our desire to see government action on directly improving access to breaks for disadvantaged families but this was the first of many approaches to government and policy makers we intend to make over the coming months and years.

 

"The charity will help up to 2,000 families with a break this coming year and we know that the benefits they derive from even a simple holiday should also be available to the over two million families who will miss out this year because of poverty.

 

"I would like to thank Lady Rendell for her much appreciated work on our behalf."  Read about Ruth Rendell becoming patron of the Family Holiday Association

 

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