Tourism (Hansard, 1 July 1996)

§ 5. Mr. John Marshall
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals she has to encourage tourism in London. [33662]

§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
I want to improve the promotion overseas of London as a world city and as the gateway to Britain. This year, we have provided an additional £1.5 million for the "Focus London" campaign.

§ Mr. Marshall
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the way in which London helped to host Euro 96 demonstrates that it is a first-class tourist city and underlines the strength of Britain's case for hosting the world cup in 2006? Does she also agree that the case for London has been weakened by the irresponsible action of unions on London underground who seem oblivious to the hardship they cause and the jobs that they put at risk?

§ Mrs. Bottomley
I welcome the opportunity warmly to commend all those involved in Euro 96. It has been a phenomenal success and Britain has regained its reputation for being able to host world sporting events. I most certainly hope that that may lead to the World cup and many other international events coming here. I commend all those who participated, the arts events, the tourism industry and the security arrangements. Euro 96 has been a great source of joy and pleasure to many, and especially to all those who support football.
How right my hon. Friend is to condemn the dispute on the London underground. How typical it is that the Labour party cannot bring itself to condemn that action Some 250,000 people come to Britain to have the opportunity to see Britain being prosperous and successful. For that experience to be marred by industrial disputes, as we had in the old days when the Labour party was in control, is shameful.

§ Mr. Ashton
Is the Minister aware that we agree with what she said about Euro 96? It was a great success. However, is she aware that in the other 50 weeks of the year, what puts people off London is the flea-bitten, rat-trap hotels around King's Cross, Victoria, Paddington and other places? One of the problems is that the country has no statutory grading of small hotels or minimum standards such as many other countries have. As long as the right hon. Lady leaves the matter to the free-market economy—most of the cheaper hotels have gone over to providing accommodation for the homeless—she will display massive neglect in terms of doing something about health and hygiene standards, and prices, at small hotels in London.

§ Mrs. Bottomley
The hon. Gentleman is right to focus on the importance of value for money and good standards in hotels in London in particular, and across the country. That is why so much work has gone into the preparation of the crown scheme in collaboration with the motoring industry's validation system. Work is also under way to encourage planning permission for hotels, particularly in London, and it is important that local authorities grant those permissions. A welcome number of new hotels have started in London and there has been a great deal more investment, but I am pleased to have Labour's support in driving up standards in the hotel sector. The excellent Mr. David Quarmby is certainly making that a priority as he takes on his new responsibilities.

§ Mr. Jacques Arnold
Would not tourism in London be encouraged if far greater use were made of the River Thames, not only by tourists visiting London, but in future, by tourists visiting the millennium site in Greenwich and, above all, the historic town of Gravesend?

§ Mrs. Bottomley
The opportunity for tourists to visit not only the centre of London, which is the gateway to Britain, but other parts of the country, including Gravesend, will undoubtedly be most welcome. However, I must take the opportunity to focus our minds on the phenomenal investment on the banks of Thames as a result of the national lottery. They include the developments at Bankside, the £50 million new Tate gallery, the Globe theatre, the Maritime hall at the Maritime museum and many other projects. There is now an unprecedented level of investment in London's cultural infrastructure.

Dr. John Cunningham
For the record, let me remind the Secretary of State that we welcome the appointment of Mr. David Quarmby to the British Tourist Authority and English tourist board. She was quite wrong to suggest otherwise. Is she aware that, far from feeling safe in the Government's hands, the tourism industry feels ignored and neglected by her Department? As she has complimented the Football Association on the success of Euro 96, may I join her in extending those compliments and plaudits on behalf of the Opposition? Can we take it that the Government will support the FA's intention to bid for the world cup soccer championships to be held in London? Will the Government support that bid?

§ Mrs. Bottomley
Undoubtedly, the Government will support that in every possible way. There have been most constructive and productive relationships in respect of 540 Euro 96. The different agencies, local authorities, the Football Association, the security services, the arts organisations and the tourism industry worked together with a great deal of planning and wonderful results, and it would be a great triumph and a great day for Britain if we were to host the world cup.
I am delighted to hear that new Labour supports Mr. David Quarmby. The right hon. Gentleman will understand that it is rather difficult for Conservative Members to know which Labour spokesman to take seriously. When old Labour, new Labour, and middling Labour can synchronise their voices, we shall be able to follow the script more carefully.