HC Deb 07 March 1994 vol 239 cc1-3
1. Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how the tourism industry is consulted by Government on issues concerning it.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for National Heritage (Mr. Iain Sproat)

Consultation on issues identified as affecting the tourism industry is undertaken through the British Tourist Authority, the English tourist board, regional tourist boards and a number of trade associations.

Mr. Rooney

I thank the Minister for his answer. What discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Transport about the implications for tourism of the abolition of the BritRail pass and of ticketing, which are of serious concern to the tourist industry?

Mr. Sproat

I have had consultations with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on that matter and he is convinced that no problems will arise.

Sir Peter Emery

Does my hon. Friend realise that there is uproar in the hotel trade about the possibility of television sets in hotels being surcharged? Does he know that hoteliers in Sidmouth and Exmouth in my constituency are worried that, even if such a policy applies at first only to the bigger hotels, that will be a foot in the door and it will spread to motels and the whole tourist industry, and they are much against it?

Mr. Sproat

Yes, I am aware of the worry felt by hoteliers at all levels. I emphasise that that worry arose not from Government policy but from the National Heritage Select Committee's proposals. It is not Government practice to reply to odd bits of suggestions; our practice is to reply all at once. When we reply to what the Select Committee proposes, I hope that we shall put my right hon. Friend's mind at rest.

Mr. Gunnell

What consultations has the Minister had with British Coal or with those in the tourist industry who take an interest in the many facilities around the nation supported by British Coal, particularly the mining museums, which are an important tourist facility? What national consultations have taken place?

Mr. Sproat

I very much enjoyed my visit to Caphouse colliery mining museum, in which the hon. Gentleman plays a role. I agree with him that it is an extremely important element of the tourist industry, which the old British Coal Board supported with regard to sports facilities and brass bands, and ensuring that local community halls were made available for practising and the storage of musical instruments. I have been in touch with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs and am seeing within the next few days a delegation led by Councillor Les Marshall.

Mr. Simon Coombs

My hon. Friend will be well aware of the tremendous interest in the tourism industry in his efforts at deregulation. What progress has been made with the consultations that are taking place?

Mr. Sproat

We have identified almost 90 regulations that impact damagingly on the tourist industry and we are going through those one by one. With the help of the Department of Employment, to which I pay great tribute, we have already published a document showing that the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 are not as damaging as we previously thought. I shall have a meeting this afternoon with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs to see how much further and how much more quickly we can take this important subject.