HC Deb 25 July 1979 vol 971 cc287-8W
Mr. Best

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax advantages and concessions are available to those in the tourist trade, and, in particular, those having hotels and guest houses, which treat tourism as an industry in the same way as other industries.

Mr. Peter Rees

Most tax allowances, for example the 100 per cent. first-year allowance for capital expenditure on machinery and plant, apply generally to all trades, including the tourist sector Allowances for industrial buildings apply broadly to the manufacturing, processing and transport trades and not to other sectors, but similar allowances, with an initial allowance of 20 per cent. instead of 50 per cent., apply to capital expenditure on the construction and improvement of hotels which are above a certain size and satisfy certain conditions as to the services provided.