Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister what has been the total of Government support for the tourist industry directly and indirectly over each of the past five years; and whether anything stands in the way of privatising this expenditure.
§ The Prime MinisterDirect support, through the five statutory tourist boards and the Highlands and Islands development board was as follows:
£ million 1978–79 29.7 1979–80 39.4 1980–81 44.9 1981–82 50.4 1982–83 56.7 Figures are not available for the level of indirect support which takes many forms.
The bulk of expenditure on promoting and developing the United Kingdom as a tourist destination is already incurred by the private sector, but the Government believe that there is a continuing need to co-ordinate this effort through the tourist boards and to encourage the improvement of facilities and attractions on offer.