§ 27. Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the United Kingdom's share of the international conference and meetings industry. [18717]
§ Mr. PageThe British Tourist Authority estimates that 490,000 visitors came to the United Kingdom for conferences and meetings in 1994. My Department has no estimate of the share that that figure represents of the international conference and meetings industry.
§ Mr. AtkinsonDoes my hon. Friend agree that in that intensely and fiercely competitive world industry, this country does well, including the Bournemouth international conference centre in my constituency? What effect does he think that a 48-hour working rule and a national minimum wage would have on the competitiveness of our industry and its ability to compete successfully with the rest of the world?
§ Mr. PageMy hon. Friend makes a point that has been mentioned once or twice already this afternoon. The British Tourist Authority estimates that £285 million is currently spent by overseas delegates, an average of £582 per delegate. There is absolutely no doubt that the restrictions of the social contract and a minimum wage would inhibit our ability to offer conference facilities and ensure that people would not be so willing to come to the United Kingdom.