HC Deb 01 May 1996 vol 276 cc1136-8
8. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent measures he has adopted to promote tourism in Scotland. [26057]

Mr. Kynoch

My right hon. Friend has increased the resources made available to the Scottish tourist board this year by £3 million, or 20 per cent.

Mr. Coombs

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that most encouraging information. Is he able to reveal the financial and the commercial success of last year's Autumn Gold campaign? I understand that the marketing campaign resulted in a substantial number of inquiries, but was it a success financially? What support do the newly established local tourist boards receive from local authorities throughout Scotland?

Mr. Kynoch

My hon. Friend, who takes a great interest in tourism matters, is absolutely right: Autumn Gold has been a remarkable success in its early stages in seeking to extend the tourist season in Scotland. Some 37 per cent. of those who requested an Autumn Gold pack then took an autumn break in Scotland in October and November 1995, which was an increase on previous seasonality campaigns. I am sure that the campaign has contributed to the 11 per cent. increase in the number of tourists from England who visited Scotland in 1995.

Mr. Maxton

Does the Minister agree that local authorities play an essential role in maintaining our tourism industry, by providing funding for the arts, halls, museums and recreation areas as well as by enforcing health and safety standards in our hotels and restaurants? Does he further agree—as he is nodding—that the swingeing cuts that he and the Secretary of State have imposed on local authorities will damage our tourist industry?

Mr. Kynoch

I agree with the first part of what the hon. Gentleman said, but I disagree totally with the second part of his question. The hon. Gentleman does not seem to have got it into his head that this year the Government have provided an extra 3.7 per cent. of local government funding. In addition, most local authorities have increased their council tax far in excess of inflation—there have been 10, 12 and 15 per cent. increases, and some were even greater. Therefore, local authorities have more than enough resources to spread around the services.

I hope that local authorities play their due part in the partnership that is needed in tourism to ensure that their areas are promoted. Tourism is important to small and medium-sized business. It makes a considerable contribution to the Scottish economy, and local authorities have a significant part to play in encouraging it.

Mr. Stewart

Is it not a matter of concern to my hon. Friend that so many tourists visiting Scotland go to Edinburgh, where they encounter one of Scotland's leading slums called Prince's street and sit around in the virtually permanent traffic jam there? Does he agree that it would be better for Scotland if tourists were encouraged to visit the city of Glasgow, which has superb facilities, thanks to the partnership between the public and private sectors? While they were there, they could also visit the superb facilities in Rouken Glen park in Eastwood.

Mr. Kynoch

My hon. Friend is always a staunch supporter of his part of the world, but I hasten to add that there is a much larger section of Scotland north of the central belt. I would like all tourists to Scotland to experience the benefits of the entire country. I was particularly pleased that, recently, the Scottish tourism co-ordinating group which I chair discussed ways of getting tourists to travel further afield in Scotland.

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: most tourists visit Edinburgh. There are many reasons why they should go further north. Some airlines, particularly Ryan Air and Easy Jet, are considering taking favourable fares for tourists further north. I hope that we shall be successful in our campaign, because much of Scotland's heritage, history and countryside, which are of great benefit to tourism, is further north.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

Following on from what he has just said, does the Minister acknowledge that, although it is fine to promote attracting visitors to Scotland, they need information on the ground? In the light of that, the cuts in local government support for tourism have reduced the number of information centres: there are now no information centres whatsoever between Aberdeen and Fraserburgh since the closure of Ellon, Turriff and others. In those circumstances, does the hon. Gentleman recognise the need to increase funding, to provide local information centres? That will ensure just what he wants—tourists visiting all parts of Scotland, not just the capital.

Mr. Kynoch

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman has the cheek to raise that question here, as he is referring to the action of the Liberal Democrat administration in Aberdeenshire and the Labour-controlled Aberdeen city council, which decided to reduce their funding of the new area tourist board. I hasten to point out that central Government, through the Scottish tourist board, have put an extra £700,000 into the area tourist board network.

It is for local authorities to decide their own priorities. Aberdeenshire has been given more money than ever before and has certainly increased the council tax by some 20 per cent. across the area, yet it has decided not to give as much to the area tourist board. If local authorities decide not to make tourism a priority, they must be accountable to their electorates. I hope that the Liberal Democrats will stand up and be counted.

Mr. Foulkes

Has the Minister seen the report in The Herald today on the threat to tourism in my constituency from the sludge dumped in the Clyde in the 1970s and 1980s containing dangerous chemicals that are now being dispersed throughout the firth? Why has he kept the marine laboratory's report secret? What action are the Government taking to protect public safety and ensure that there are no threats to tourism in Ayrshire and beyond?

Mr. Kynoch

I have not seen that article in The Herald, but I shall draw it to the attention of my hon. and noble Friend Lord Lindsay, the Minister with responsibility for the environment and for the new Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which I am sure will be interested in looking into the matter.