§ 8. Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the prospects for tourism in Northern Ireland. [20414]
§ Mr. AncramWhile the breakdown in the IRA ceasefire is clearly cause for concern, the Northern Ireland tourist board reports that interest in Northern Ireland as a holiday destination remains high, and it is confident of future growth.
§ Mr. SpringDoes my right hon. Friend share my view that Northern Ireland is one of the most attractive and least spoiled parts of the United Kingdom? Does he agree that the excellent news on tourism was recently further boosted by the very welcome announcement of a £16.3 million investment in the Province by the Stakis Hotel Group?
§ Mr. AncramI am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding the House of that investment. During the past three weeks, both the Stakis and the Jurys hotel groups announced major hotel investments in Northern Ireland. At a time when some questions have been asked outside Northern Ireland about whether recent events would have any effect on the confidence of the tourism industry, those investments give a sure indication that people are still ready to invest in a very large and potentially successful growth industry in Northern Ireland.
§ Miss HoeyDoes the Minister agree that prospects for tourists visiting one of the most delightful parts of Northern Ireland—Rathlin island—will be greatly enhanced by the new ferry service? Does he agree that it is quite disgraceful that the islanders who have operated 486 a ferry service and kept the island's link with the mainland going for a long time have done so without any help or financial compensation? Will he have a word with the relevant Minister, and tell him that that cannot be allowed to happen?
§ Mr. AncramI think that the hon. Lady recognised that she was touching on territory that is not my responsibility at the Northern Ireland Office, but that of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary, who is sitting beside me, heard what she said. He informs me that he is to meet her and the hon. Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) shortly to discuss the matter.
§ Mr. A. Cecil WalkerIs the Minister aware of the advantages to tourism in Northern Ireland that will result from relining the west link junctions with the flyover system, which has been financed by the Government and the EC?
§ Mr. AncramI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that matter, but he will appreciate that it does not fall strictly within my area of responsibility. He has mentioned—it is worth reminding ourselves of it—that the support that peace can bring to the Province can only help to encourage more investment in tourism in Northern Ireland, which will in turn produce more jobs. That is what we must all look for.