§ 9. Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimates have been made of the number of tourists visiting the United Kingdom from abroad in 1994–95.
§ Mr. SproatThe British Tourist Authority estimates that in 1995 around 21.7 million visitors from abroad will come to the United Kingdom. This represents an increase of 6 per cent. on the estimated figure for 1994. The figure for 1994 is around 20.4 million, which represents an increase of 7 per cent. on the provisional figure for 1993 of 19.1 million.
§ Mr. EvansI am grateful for that reply. It is clearly important for us to attract as many visitors from abroad as possible, and a record figure has been achieved—almost 22 million. Is not it also important, however, to attract as many of those visitors as possible to the regions? Let me cite the region I know best, which is the north-west. If people have the opportunity to visit my constituency, they will see natural, beautiful countryside; within 20 miles of the Ribble valley is Blackpool, where they can see the Blackpool tower—which is celebrating its centenary—and the tallest, fastest roller-coaster in the world.
§ Mr. SproatI agree that we want as many visitors as possible to come to this country and to get out into the many beautiful areas that it contains. According to the latest figures that we have, the total amount spent by all visitors to my hon. Friend's part of the world was some £978 million, which is a very large figure. The number of visitors to the area has risen by some 13 per cent. over the past 10 years, and some 175,000 people are employed in tourism—so we certainly take the matter extremely seriously.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the Minister aware that there were tourists outside the House of Commons today looking at disabled people who were trying to get in? Those people were refused admission through the main entrance and up the stairs, and were told to go round the side. They crawled on their hands and knees to the carriage gates, and then the gates—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. This is nothing whatever to do with the Minister. The question relates to tourists visiting the United Kingdom from abroad. I know exactly what the hon. Gentleman is referring to, and it is nothing to do with the Minister.
§ Mr. Sproatrose—
§ Madam SpeakerWill the Minister answer the first part of the question, which concerns United Kingdom visitors coming to the House of Commons?
§ Mr. SproatI do not know how many of the visitors to whom the hon. Gentleman referred came from abroad, but I assure him that they were given a warm welcome from this country.
§ Mr. MansDoes my hon. Friend agree that, despite the antics of Lancashire county council and the European Commission in their attempts to denigrate Blackpool, the Fylde coast, and Blackpool in particular, is still the premier tourist resort in Europe? Will he do all that he can to counter the efforts of the county council and the Commission to suggest that the beaches are not clean? The beaches have never been cleaner. Furthermore, will my hon. Friend take an early opportunity to have a go on the new ride at Blackpool?
§ Mr. SproatI gladly join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to Blackpool. I think that I am right in remembering that turnover from tourism in Blackpool amounts to some £445 million a year and that there are more bed spaces in Blackpool than in the whole of Portugal.
Mr. Alan W. WilliamsWe should remember that Britain has much to offer visitors from the European Community—history, buildings and beautiful countryside. Therefore, is not it desperately sad that Britain's image in Europe is one of half-hearted membership? Would not we have far more visitors from Europe if the Government adopted a more positive and constructive approach to the European Community?
§ Mr. SproatWe do adopt a constructive approach to the Community. The hon. Gentleman may be interested to hear that, for the first time, the number of visitors from France, a member of the European Union, has equalled the number of American visitors, although the French do not spend as much money.