HC Deb 24 July 1978 vol 954 cc1133-5
10. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the effect that changes to the membership of the British Tourist Authority emanating from the Scotland Bill will have on the independence of the membership of the British Tourist Authority.

Mr. Meacher

The representatives of the national tourist boards will be in a majority on the board of the British Tourist Authority, as envisaged in the supplementary White Paper on devolution, but the size of the board will be maintained at its present level. The two independent members will continue to be appointed for their experience and knowledge of affairs generally and not to represent sectoral or regional interests.

Mr. Adley

But the Minister knows that this is totally changing the balance. Has he ever expressed dissatisfaction with the efficiency of the British Tourist Authority? Does not he agree that, as he has apparently always said, it gives outstanding value to taxpayers in terms of foreign currency earned compared with the amount of taxpayers' money expended in the overseas promotion of tourism? Apart from political expediency, what are the reasons for making this change, which can put at risk the efficiency of this organisation?

Mr. Meacher

The hon. Gentleman has been much exercised about this change, but he well knows the reasons which lie behind it. As I have said, we made it clear in the supplementary White Paper on devolution that it was intended that the national tourist boards would, after devolution, exercise a decisive influence on BTA decisions and on the allocation of finance. That is the intention, and it will be carried out as a result of the change in the Scotland Bill.

The hon. Gentleman has invited me to express my satisfaction with the BTA. I am glad to take this opportunity to pay fulsome tribute to the authority, which, relative to the level of Government funding, is one of our biggest export earners.

Mr. Dalyell

How many extra tourists will be attracted to these islands by these measures?

Mr. Meacher

I have no doubt that the BTA, which will remain responsible for the promotion of the tourist interests of Great Britain as a whole, both before and after devolution, will continue to do a good job.

Mrs. Bain

Apart from the extra tourists who will wish to come to see the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell), will not the Minister agree that, since tourism in Scotland is second only to tourism in London in terms of earning money for the United Kingdom, it is only right that the Scottish Assembly should have control over the industry in Scotland? We would most certainly not object to there being a London tourist authority.

Mr. Meacher

It is right that the British Tourist Authority should maintain control over the general promotion of Great Britain as a whole because there is no doubt that if control were fragmented between the three boards there would be a loss overall to Britain. At the same time, it is true that under the Scotland Bill, as the hon. Lady knows, the Scottish board will be able to spend more money on tourism if it is funded by the Scottish Assembly.

Mr. Tebbit

Does the Minister think that the Scottish Executive will follow the Government's example in removing non-Socialists from the public boards of this sort and replacing them with ex-Labour Party agents and others who do not receive a decent pension from their employers and need a handout from the taxpayer?

Mr. Meacher

The hon. Gentleman is presumably needled by the example of the Kent education authority. I do not know the political views of the members of many public boards, but, if they were known, I should be surprised if the balance were not very much in favour of the Tory Party.

Mr. Adley

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg leave to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.