Tourist Industry (Hansard, 18 March 1996)

§ 5. Mr. Llwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what evaluation his Department has undertaken of the effects of the current guidelines on the use of directional signing on the tourist industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [19377]

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
Following a recent consultation exercise, guidance to local authorities was issued on 6 February 1996, which enables a wider range of tourist destinations and facilities to be eligible for the white on brown traffic signs.

§ Mr. Llwyd
I thank the Minister for that response. I am disappointed that, once again, the Welsh Office is moving 18 months after the Department of the Environment. I have read the document, and a fascinating read it is, too. People in the tourist industry still feel that there is not enough scope for them to put signs up during the short summer period when they have to make a living. There should be further relaxation. The tourist industry is the most important in Wales. Will the Minister take a more relaxed attitude to individual applicants who want to put signs out?

§ Mr. Jones
Individual applications are for local authorities to consider. They now have more opportunity, under the more flexible guidelines that we have offered them, but that is not the end of matter. We intend to review the process after one year.

§ Mr. Fabricant
Is my hon. Friend the Minister aware that, a week ago last Friday, I spoke to 200 charming ladies in Colwyn Bay but almost lost my way because, even though my mother is a Welsh speaker, I am not? Is it not the case that the majority of the Welsh people are not Welsh speakers and that the majority of the tourists who go to Wales are not, by definition, Welsh? They will not be Welsh speakers. While one respects important minority languages such as Welsh, cannot Welsh language signs cause great confusion for drivers?

§ Mr. Jones
My hon. Friend's encounter with the ladies of Colwyn Bay will be of great interest and concern to my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, North-West (Mr. Richards). I am sure that my hon. Friend's difficulties will disappear with greater opportunities. I was pleased to see today that Cardiff business school has brought out what taking the A55 expressway across north Wales has meant. It says: Upgraded A55 brings region out of isolation. It is going forward and provides advantages for all visitors, including my hon. Friend.

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
Will the Minister reflect on the fact that the ubiquitous brown on white sign enforces a uniformity that is uncharacteristic of Wales? Would it not be better to allow farm guest houses to put up their own tasteful signs by the roadside for part of the year to advertise their facilities? That would enable them to take advantage of the passing tourist trade that they are currently losing.

§ Mr. Jones
I am keen on encouraging further deregulation, which allows greater flexibility to Welsh local authorities. The hon. and learned Gentleman must accept that, currently, there is a need for appropriate rules and regulations to govern the guidelines. Not least, one should not forget that the prime purpose of the signs is not advertising, but to give direction. We are committed to reviewing the guidelines after one year of operation to see whether further opportunities exist to provide yet more deregulation and improvements.