§ 12. Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the total expenditure by tourists in Wales in 1982.
§ The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. John Stradling Thomas)The Welsh Tourist Board's estimate is £475 million.
§ Mr. TerlezkiI am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me that encouraging figure. I am pleased at the amount that has been spent in Wales during the past year. 10 However, as there is room for improvement, what does the Minister feel needs to be done by the Wales Tourist Board to ensure a steady flow of tourism in the Principality, year in, year out?
§ Mr. Stradling ThomasThe board has recently published its programme strategy for growth. There are many proposals in that strategy to increase the flow of tourists into Wales, and these will always be welcome.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesIs the Minister aware that one of the prime tourist attractions in Wales is Caerphilly castle? Is he aware that, through his Department, he has direct responsibility for this castle? Is he further aware that the grounds and moat of Caerphilly castle are a disgrace?
§ Mr. Stradling ThomasNew proposals for dealing with castles and historic buildings generally have just been put forward, and I hope that we can achieve improvements to attract more tourists to Caerphilly.
§ Mr.Ioan EvansDoes the Minister agree that a large number of tourists in Wales arrive not by rail, but via the Severn bridge? Will the Government make a categorical statement that during their discussions they will support a second crossing of the Severn and that we shall not have any double-crossing by Ministers?
§ Mr. Stradling ThomasI assure the House that there will be no double-crossing by any Minister. We shall ascertain all of the facts. Our wish is to do the best that we can for the whole of Wales.