§ Mr. Robert Banksasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what suggestions he has received on setting up a national scheme to list and categorise standards of hotels: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe English Tourist Board already operates a national scheme of registration and classification of hotels. Under this scheme hotels register voluntarily with the ETB and agree to comply with the board's code of conduct. They are then categorised according to the range of facilities they provide and listed, if they so wish, in the board's official accommodation guides. Following the Government's review of tourism policy, I have asked the ETB, in consultation with the other tourist boards and interested bodies, to examine ways of strengthening this scheme to make it a more effective weapon against inadeqate standards. The board's report is expected later in the year.