§ 10. Mr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the increase in the number of employees in tourism-related employment between 1981 and 1989.
§ Mr. ForthThe number of employees in tourism-related industries in Great Britain increased by an estimated 219,000 between June 1981 and June 1989, an increase of nearly 20 per cent.
§ Mr. HarrisDo not those figures show the importance of the tourist industry particularly to areas such as Cornwall? Does my hon. Friend agree that, despite having had two good seasons, partly because of the wonderful summers of the past couple of years, there is no room for complacency and that if we are to compete and maintain such growth we need to offer ever-higher standards and ever-better value for money and increase the amount of promotion?
§ Mr. ForthI agree with my hon. Friend, who is well placed to make a judgment on such matters. All hon. Members must pay tribute to those in the tourism-related industries for their ingenuity, activity and quality of service, which have resulted in a constant increase in the volume of visitors and in revenue earned. We in the Department will do everything that we can to support and encourage those industries, which I expect will continue to grow and provide employment and prosperity for a long time to come.
§ Mrs. PeacockDoes my hon. Friend agree that if more emphasis was placed on attracting business and conference visitors there might be fewer seasonal changes in employment? One would hope that they would come all the year round and spend more money, as is traditionally the case.
§ Mr. ForthMy hon. Friend is right. That aspect of the industry is being developed rapidly in many parts of the country, whether my hon. Friend's region or my part of the west midlands. Increased investment is leading to the development and growth of an expert industry and we can confidently expect to attract more high-quality conference business in competition with other countries.