§ 16. Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received regarding deregulation and tourism; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SproatI have received an enormous number of representations, both orally and in writing, about the damaging effect of regulations on tourism businesses. Very few of these fall under my Department.
§ Mrs. BrowningDoes my hon. Friend agree that the burden of over-regulation on the tourism industry has been onerous? Although that problem may not fall directly on his Department, will he please liaise with the necessary Departments of Government so that he can impress on other Ministers exactly how important this industry is, especially to the west country, and how burdens are stopping small businesses, especially in the tourism areas, progressing?
§ Mr. SproatYes, I gladly agree with my hon. Friend, especially on tourism in the west country. She plays a major part in helping to draw the attention of the House to its importance. We have discovered more than 90 13 regulations that have impacted badly on the tourist industry. We have divided them into seven main sections and I have taken them up individually with the Ministers responsible in other Departments. We are certainly seeing some progress.