9. Mr. Haslehurstasked the Minister for Trade what relative priority Her Majesty's Government now give to London in spending on tourism and infrastructure.
§ Mr. SproatI am currently reconsidering in my general tourism review the policy which has existed since 1974 of concentrating resources away from London and other popular tourist destinations. I have already announced to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Thanet, West (Mr. Rees-Davies) on 16 March that I have asked the English Tourist Board to increase its existing levels of support for all the regional tourist boards in the next financial year, and in particular to give some additional funds to the London tourist board in view of London's prime position as our single most important tourist destination and the main gateway to other parts of the country.
§ Mr. HaselhurstIf we are to exploit to the full the job-creating aspects of tourism, is it not unwise to continue to rely on the single principal funnel of London as a route for visitors to Britain? Do we not require a more determined marketing effort to sell the regional qualities of the other parts of our country, because through the London funnel people trickle only as far as Stratford, Oxford and Cambridge? Is it not uncharacteristic of my hon. Friend to come to the opposite conclusion? Is he not being rather defeatist?
§ Mr. SproatThere is no question of London being the only funnel—perhaps not the most appropriate word. Direct flights from abroad arrive at Prestwick, Manchester and even at Aberdeen, where we recently granted increased flights to SAS. We are conscious that London is not the only gateway for tourists, but, whether we like it or not, it happens to be the most important single gateway. When people come to London, they can spread out to the rest of the country. It is no use taking some little-known place in the United Kingdom, of which I shall not give an example for reasons of tact, advertising it in the United States or Japan, and encouraging people to come to that tiny place. We must advertise what is best so that, when people are here, they will see the other resources that we have on offer.
§ Mr. William HamiltonIn view of Mr. Egon Ronay's scathing comments on food in London restaurants and other catering establishments, will the Under-Secretary of State advise tourists that, if they have any respect for their stomachs, they should stay away from London?
§ Mr. SproatNo, I will not give that advice. However, as soon as I read of Mr. Ronay's charges this morning I asked my private office to contact Mr. Ronay to invite him to meet me to tell me all about them. I also asked the London tourist board immediately to give me its reaction to the charges.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleIs my hon. Friend aware that his support for the regional tourist boards is greatly welcomed, especially by the East Midlands tourist board? Is he further aware that the boards need to know fairly soon what grants they are to get so that they can plan constructively for the coming months?
§ Mr. SproatI am grateful to my hon. Friend for underlining once more that we are redeploying resources so that the regional tourist boards receive more grant in the coming year than hitherto—£100,000 more than inflation would set as a figure. I hope to tell the House of the conclusions on the tourism review next month.
§ Mr. DormandIs the Under-Secretary of State aware that I agree to a large extent with his comments about London? Whether we like it or not, tourists will come to London. Is that not an important reason why he should give the regions even more money? In the area that I represent, the Northumbria tourist board can offer immense attractions, at least as important as those in London? Bearing in mind unemployment in Northumbria, is there not a case for providing greater Government grants to attract tourists to the area?
§ Mr. SproatI am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's agreement with my general comment about the importance of London. I agree that the regional tourist boards should receive more money, and more money is what they will receive next year.