HC Deb 02 May 1984 vol 59 cc339-41
10. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives his Department has taken to encourage more tourists coming to England in 1984 to visit places other than London, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Mr. Norman Lamont

It is the Government's aim to encourage tourism wherever good prospects exist. This year the British Tourist Authority is promoting a wide range of attractions throughout England, Scotland and Wales under the banner of Heritage 84. This will be a major appeal to overseas visitors.

Mr. Chapman

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the tourist authorities are sufficiently and vigorously promoting the delights of the countryside and towns outside the tourist golden triangle of London, Oxford and Stratford? Could not one Government initiative be to promote and encourage special international and national events, such as the absolutely splendid International Garden Festival on Merseyside opened today by the Queen?

Mr. Lamont

I very much agree with what my hon. Friend said about the International Garden Festival at Liverpool. It is rather sad that some Opposition Members have been critical of it. It will certainly attract a large number of people to Liverpool. Quite apart from short-term advantages, it is a major environmental feature, improving and landscaping a derelict and unattractive part of Liverpool. It is a magnificent achievement.

The tourist boards are trying to encourage short-break holidays, the marketing of the seaside resorts, the spas, English gardens and so on. The theme of Heritage 84 is for holidays and tourist attractions throughout the country.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

While I am not in favour of state promotion of tourism if the Government are to continue to spend taxpayers' money for such a purpose, will they ensure that sufficient emphasis is placed on the natural beauty, freedom and hospitality offered by Northern Ireland?

Mr. Lamont

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, special efforts are made to promote the considerable beauties of the Province.

Mr. Harris

Is my hon. Friend aware of the concern felt by many hon. Members who represent holiday areas well away from the capital about the bad first impressions given to holidaymakers who, inevitably, begin their holiday in London? They often stay in small, bad hotels or, for example, pass through the passageway from the underground station to this building. Is not that passageway an absolute disgrace to a capital city?

Mr. Lamont

There are many examples of untidiness and many unattractive hotels. I have a strong prejudice that the litter laws should be more tightly enforced.

Mr. Corbett

Will the Minister consider encouraging some of the holiday flights presently coming into Heathrow and Gatwick to divert to splendid airports such as Birmingham international, which would give a better spread of tourism?

Mr. Lamont

That would be possible if the passengers wanted that. However, it is a matter largely for the Department of Transport.

Mr. Gale

Does my hon. Friend recognise the contrast between the language and currency exchange facilities offered by our continental competitors, especially in shops and hotels, and the deplorable equivalent facilities offered by many operators in this country? Will he encourage the tourist boards to pull out their fingers and promote the offering of currency and language facilities to foreign tourists similar to those offered in other countries?

Mr. Lamont

I know that there is concern about that matter, and especially about some of the rates of exchange. We are having a look at the matter.

Mr. Haynes

Does not the Minister have some nerve to stand at that Dispatch Box and say some of the things that he has said? Is he aware that the Nottinghamshire county council does a great deal of work in promoting tourism? The Minister should have a word with the Government and stop the rate-capping proposals, and stop treating councils in the way that they are doing so that councils can get on with their other work.

Mr. Lamont

I am not sure that I follow the point of the hon. Gentleman's question. I pay tribute to some of the activities of the Nottinghamshire county council and also to the co-operation that it has shown with the signposting of tourist attractions, which is an important and necessary task in Britain.

Mr. Conway

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the importance of tourism to constituencies such as mine in Shrewsbury could be threatened by rumours that the television licensing facility for hotels is likely to be changed? Will he ensure that his colleagues in the Government are made aware of the effect that such a move could have on the competitiveness of British hotel prices?

Mr. Lamont

As my hon. Friend knows, television licences are a matter for the Home Office. Obviously, I make Ministers at that Department well aware of the concerns of the industry in matters of this kind.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Will the Minister consider the introduction of special assistance to the tourist industry in the Lake District, which borders on the west Cumberland development area, where there are high levels of unemployment? Does he recognise that every pound spent on promoting the Lake District and other parts of the country on television and in the media abroad is a pound well spent, in that it creates jobs in our areas? Will he increase the budget for overseas promotion?

Mr. Lamont

I must point out to the hon. Gentleman, in the way that the right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell) reminded me, that this is predominantly an industry for private enterprise. People should promote themselves and the beauties of the Lake District should be able to sell themselves.

Mr. Cockeram

Is my hon. Friend aware that one way in which tourists have been successfully attracted to the more remote parts of the nation is by local festivals such as the Ludlow festival and Opera '80 in Bridgnorth? Is he further aware that the policy of the Minister for the Arts in supporting the Arts Council, which has cut off support for all grants in Shropshire and is concentrating support in the golden triangle, is working against the policy that he is trying to pursue?

Mr. Lamont

I shall draw my noble Friend's attention to those remarks.

Mr. Hardy

While it is reasonable for the Minister to congratulate his colleagues on the improvement of an inner city area, may I ask him to note that many millions of people visit Britain because of its attractive countryside? Will he consult the tourist authorities to see how the destruction of the countryside can be reduced, especially as that, too, is financed by public funds?

Mr. Lamont

The hon. Gentleman will know that the protection of the countryside is largely a matter for the Department of the Environment. However, what he says is right, in that the beauties of the English countryside are a major tourist attraction, of which the tourist authorities are well aware, and one of their aims is to encourage rural tourism and smaller operators.