§ 5. Mr. David Nicholsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the progress of the programme for introducing a new system for signposting sites of tourist interest.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Lee)Signposting is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for 'Transport. However, I understand that good progress is being made. Signs have been authorised for about 2,000 attractions and more are about to go up.
§ Mr. NicholsonI thank my hon. Friend for his reply. I recognise the importance of these initiatives for the hope of prosperity in my constituency, in other parts of Somerset and in the inner cities. Will he describe what broad criteria are used to designate tourist interest sites on motorways? Will he and his ministerial colleagues pay attention to the desirability of attracting foreign tourists in particular to areas of the country other than the congested sites of London, Windsor and Oxford?
§ Mr. LeeMy hon. Friend represents a lovely part of the country; Somerset has many tourist attractions. At Easter we had a happy family holiday at the Caernarvon Arms near Dulverton, and I strongly commend that part of the country.
The criteria for signposting are set by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. They are, first, where there are over 150,000 visitors a year; secondly, where there is adequate car parking; and, thirdly, where tourist attractions are sited within 20 miles of a motorway junction. I take the point about spreading the benefits of tourism to the many regions that are outside some of the traditional tourist spots.
§ Mr. AshtonIs it not a fact that tourist areas do not need signposting? It is easy to see where they are because they are ankle-deep in litter. Is the Minister aware that it is a year since Mr. Richard Branson, the famous entrepreneur, was appointed to clear up litter, yet it has become worse? Why does he not—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. What does this have to do with signposting?
§ Mr. LeeThe hon. Gentleman is talking nonsense. UK 2000, which is making satisfactory progress, was not set up to clear litter. With regard to the clearance of litter — I take the hon. Gentleman's point — as Minister with responsibilities for tourism I am campaigning for a spotless Britain. We could do a lot more to clear up the excess of litter. There are too many areas of this country that have too much litter, which is appalling in comparison with many other overseas tourist attractions.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. It would be helpful if senior hon. Members set a good example by sticking to the question.
§ Mr. MansWill my hon. Friend give the latest estimate of the number of new jobs that have been created in the tourist industry this year and in previous years?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That question is miles wide of the subject.