HC Deb 30 April 2001 vol 367 cc634-6
6. Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley)

What representations he has made to the Exchequer in respect of financial support for small businesses involved in tourism which have been affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. [158141]

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)

As members of the rural taskforce, we have been actively proposing measures to help small tourism businesses. A package of financial measures to help tourist businesses affected by foot and mouth was announced by the chairman of the taskforce on 20 March. As I said earlier, we have also announced an immediate package of help for the promotion of tourism to both the domestic and the international markets.

Mr. Evans

Tourism is vital to the north-west. It has a turnover of £1.5 billion, and supports 7 per cent, of the work force. I have received a letter from the chairman of the North West tourist board, Anthony Goldstone, who writes: The leadership and personal support of the Prime Minister and other Ministers in reassuring the tourism industry and encouraging the consumer, has been big on words, but short on practical substance. Support to date has been pretty useless. The letter makes some suggestions: at the top of the list are interest-free loans. Has the Secretary of State asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to offer interest-free loans to industries involved in tourism? If so, has the Chancellor said no?

Mr. Smith

As I said earlier, what is essential is to bring visitors back to tourism businesses. We have already introduced measures to ensure that that can happen, but we are going further. I hope that later today we shall hear the announcement of a new initiative, involving a partnership between the Football Association Premier League and the British Tourist Authority, to provide a major boost for British tourism promotion abroad. I am delighted that the premier league is proposing to fly the flag for Britain overseas; it is a pity that the Opposition are not.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich)

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Inland Revenue in the north-west is doing a sterling job in helping all small businesses that require assistance with their considerable loans, and is producing very positive results? Some farm shops in exclusion areas, however, are suffering very badly. Although both the civil service and the Inland Revenue are trying hard, it would be helpful if we could convey further information to those who are particularly affected.

Mr. Smith

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the assistance that is already available. I am pleased to tell her that today my Department's website will have full details for all affected businesses in tourism and connected with tourism about how to gain access to the various elements of help available to them.

Dr. Vincent Cable (Twickenham)

I welcome the impact on small businesses of the lifting of the quarantine on the royal parks, particularly Home park and Bushy park in my constituency; but is the Secretary of State aware of continued concern about the safety of the deer? Supposedly the infection has now entered the wild deer herd. Has the right hon. Gentleman any plans to vaccinate deer? If not, why not?

Mr. Smith

According to the best scientific advice that we have had so far, there is no evidence that foot and mouth has entered the wild deer herd, and certainly no evidence of any impact on the deer in the royal parks.

We have issued clear advisory and precautionary warnings to people entering the royal parks, and have specifically asked those who come from directly affected sources of foot and mouth to stay away. All the evidence suggests that people are heeding that advice responsibly.

Mr. John Greenway (Ryedale)

We are delighted to learn that the premier league in football is pulling its weight, but the question for the House is, what are the Government doing?

Earlier, the Secretary of State spoke of the importance of the regional tourist boards and their primary marketing role. Does he not recognise the growing funding crisis that is affecting our regional tourist boards? Does he not realise that small tourism businesses have no money with which to pay their contributions for marketing? Is he aware that the Government's failure to provide those adequate resources—described as "outrageous" by the chairman of the North West tourist board. who was mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans)—was condemned by the Yorkshire tourist board only last week as another devastating blow for rural tourism businesses in Yorkshire", and that lack of funds will mean the closure of the visitor information hotline?

It is no use simply saying that tourism businesses need customers and then denying the industry a budget for proper marketing. When will the Government grasp the seriousness of the situation and provide the resources needed to sustain that vital industry on which so many rural jobs depend?

Mr. Smith

The Government are, indeed, well aware of the needs for promotion and marketing in tourism. That is why we have already put in place some immediate measures to help, and it is also precisely why we have helped to foster the agreement between the British Tourist Authority and the premier league to which I have just referred. However, it is not only a matter of what the Government are doing, but a matter of what the Opposition are doing. When I read on the Opposition's internet site this very day that it is "not surprising" that holidaymakers have decided to play it safe and stay at home, or go abroad", I have to say that that is a fine message to overseas visitors to this country.