HC Deb 26 June 1990 vol 175 cc186-8W
16. Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the provision of accommodation within the tourist industry after the introduction of the poll tax.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations from a wide cross-section of the tourism industry on the possible effects of the introduction of the community charge and the uniform business rate.

20. Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many tourists from the United States of America have visited the United Kingdom for each year since 1985.

Mr. Nicholls

The estimated number of visits to the United Kingdom by residents of the United States of America for the years 1985–89 are as follows:

Number of visits
1985 3,166,000
1986 2,288,000
1987 2,800,000
1988 2,620,000
1989 2,814,000

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to reinstate section 4 grants in England.

Mr. Nicholls

There are no such plans.

71. Mr. French

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the chairman of the Heart of England tourist board; and what matters were discussed.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. and learned Friend has not met the chairman of Heart of England tourist board, but my noble Friend Lord Strathclyde, the Minister with responsibility for tourism, has met members and officers of the Heart of England board during visits to the region, and hopes shortly to have an opportunity of a discussion with its chairman.

61. Mr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many holidays in the United Kingdom were taken by United Kingdom citizens in 1989.

Mr. Nicholls

The latest estimates show that United Kingdom residents took 64.5 million holidays in the United Kingdom in 1989.

62. Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to promote tourism in Essex.

Mr. Nicholls

In the year beginning 1 April 1990 the East Anglia tourist board will receive a subvention of £410,000 from the English tourist board, 66 per cent. more than in the previous year. The East Anglia tourist board is working on a number of initiatives, in partnership with local authorities and the private sector, which will benefit tourism in Essex.

56. Mr. Jim Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's review of tourism.

Mr. Nicholls

I refer the hon. Member to the reply of 28 November 1989 by the then Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Mr. Bevan),Official Report, column 212.

37. Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has recently met the chair of the British Tourist Authority and English tourist board to discuss tourism; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for tourism regularly meet the chairman to discuss matters relating to tourism. The two boards are implementing the outcome of the review of tourism policy and their total grant in aid has increased by 10 per cent. compared to the amount in the last financial year.

31. Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many overseas visits to the United Kingdom were made in the first quarter of 1990.

Mr. Nicholls

Overseas residents made an estimated 3,510,000 visits to the United Kingdom during the first three months of 1990, 4 per cent. higher than in the equivalent period of 1989.

1989. Mr. Hague

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were self-employed in tourism-related industries in(a) 1983 and (b)

Mr. Nicholls

The available information is published in the footnote to table 8.1 of the June 1990 issue ofEmployment Gazette.

24. Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom, and the income generated from such tourist activity, during the first three months of 1990; and what were the comparable figures for 1989.

Mr Nicholls

It is estimated that overseas residents made 3,510,000 visits to the United Kingdom during the first three months of 1990, 4 per cent. higher than in the equivalent period of 1989. Spending in the United Kingdom by overseas visitors in the same period is estimated to be £1,305 million, 10 per cent. higher than in 1988.