HL Deb 08 December 1977 vol 387 cc1778-9

4.43 p.m.

Lord MELCHETT rose to move, That the draft Development of Tourist Traffic (Northern Ireland) order 1977, laid before the House on 10th November, be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, this Order is designed to encourage the development of the tourist industry in Northern Ireland. This industry has, understandably, suffered more from the violence and uncertain future than almost any other. Hotels have been a frequent target for attacks and trade has been depressed by the natural reluctance of tourists to visit Northern Ireland. There has been a corresponding reluctance to invest in modernised and expanded facilities with the result that accommodation stocks are very much reduced and standards have declined. However, there are now some signs that things are improving. Following a major campaign by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in 1976, holidays to Northern Ireland were placed on sale in over 3,000 European travel outlets, and the response this year—in particular the demand for cruising and sea angling holidays—has been encouraging.

It is against this improving background that the proposals in the order have been drawn up. The order will enable the Department of Commerce to extend its Accommodation Grants Scheme to include the increasingly popular self-catering establishments, such as holiday chalets. It will also give a useful boost to the Department's efforts to maintain and improve existing bedroom accommodation by enabling it to give grants for repairs and renewals to catering establishments. Finally, this order will make provision for the payment of salaries to members of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

I am confident that, as more peaceful conditions return to Northern Ireland the tourist industry will have an increasingly important contribution to make to Northern Ireland's economic development, and I am also confident that this order will provide the vital assistance that the industry needs. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft Development of Tourist Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, laid before the House on 10th November, be approved.—(Lord Melchett.)

Viscount BROOKEBOROUGH

My Lords, I do not want to detain the House any further on Northern Ireland, but this is a most important order about a most important industry in Northern Ireland. I think that it would be wrong if some of us on this side of the House did not warmly welcome the order, because it will provide a much needed boost to the tourist industry. Anybody who has been there will know how deplorable is the state of the hotel industry as regards shortage of beds. One cannot sell package holidays unless one has hotel accommodation, and without this hotel accommodation the Tourist Board is being crippled. Therefore, I welcome the order most sincerely. I have been involved in the tourist industry in County Fermanagh for the last 30 years, so I welcome the order with all my heart.

On Question, Motion agreed to.