§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) in what manner his Department intends to input the tourist industry's view into the ongoing review of the poll tax;
(2) what recent representations he has received from the tourist industry on the 100-day rule and bed-and-breakfast accommodation;
(3) what plans there are for amending the 100-day rule within the British tourist industry.
§ Mr. ForthThrough their frequent contacts, Ministers and officials in the Department ensure that their counterparts at the Department of the Environment (DOE) are kept fully informed of the views of the tourism industry about the community charge and the uniform business rate. This will also apply to the planned comprehensive review of local government finance.
The Department has received many representations, both directly and via the tourist boards, about bed-and-breakfast accommodation and the uniform business rate, all of which have been critical of the "100-day rule". We therefore welcome the DOE's plans to draw up alternative regulations, drawing on the responses to its extensive consultation exercise.