§ 11. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish as a White Paper the account of his latest meetings with the Welsh Tourist Board.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI met the Chairman of the Welsh Tourist Board on two occasions recently, when representations were made to me about the position of the Board and I am considering these in consultation with my colleagues.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattIn view of the bad effect which the Selective Employment Tax will have on tourism in Wales, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is a matter which he proposes to discuss with the Welsh Tourist Board?
§ Mr. HughesI have already had discussions with the Board. The hon. Gentleman chooses to overlook what is being done to help tourism in Wales. As he knows, the industry will be eligible for substantial assistance under the Industrial Development Bill, under which most of Wales will now be scheduled. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister yesterday when he announced a new scheme under which development loan assistance can be offered for the building, expansion, or modernisation of hotels which can show that they cater for overseas visitors.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large part of the North-West of Wales is outside a development area and, therefore, will not benefit from some of the things which the Government are doing? Will he also realise that at the present time the Welsh 847 Tourist Board is most upset about the whole position with regard to the future of tourism in Wales?
§ Mr. HughesI do not agree with the hon. Gentleman that the Board is as upset as all that. Certainly it has points to make, and it has made them to me, and I am considering them in consultation with my Ministerial colleagues. I shall be meeting the Board again very soon for further discussions.