HC Deb 02 November 1983 vol 47 cc864-5
10. Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to change the tourist-related road signs in Tayside.

Mr. Ancram

My Department is assessing the effectiveness of the experimental road signs for bypassed communities erected near Blackford, Brechin and Dunkeld earlier this year. The future of these signs, and the provision of similar signs for other bypassed communities, will depend on the outcome of the assessment.

Mr. Walker

I thank my hon. Friend for that helpful reply. The signs that are in use in Tayside at the moment are welcomed by the people but there is still a strong feeling that the Scottish Development Department and others do not understand that tourist-related industry means just that. This means not only large mansions but other facilities that are made available to encourage people to make use of the lovely area that I represent, and other areas. This can be done only if the public are told about them. Is it not time that some of the hard-nosed people recognised the facts of life and the need for new signs?

Mr. Ancram

As my hon. Friend knows, three out of the four trial experimental sites are within Tayside. One of the points of having an experiment is to assess the results of the experiment. The results of the interviews that were carried out in August relating to the signs, which should be available towards the end of this year, will be considered not only by my Department but by the Scottish Tourist Board to ensure that hon. Friend's concerns are met.

Mr. David Marshall

As the Forth road bridge has a major influence on tourism in Tayside, is the Minister aware of the disturbing report on the Severn road bridge that was revealed by my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, East (Mr. Hughes) last Friday—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We dealt with that yesterday.

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