§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to promote tourism in the North West of England; and if he will make a statement. [76362]
§ Janet AndersonThe North West, like all parts of England, benefits from the work of the British Tourist Authority and of the English Tourist Board. For 1998–99, the BTA has a grant of £35 million and the ETB a grant of £9.7 million, of which £292,000 is for the North West Tourist Board. New support structures for tourism in England, announced on 14 December, must ensure that more effective use is made of this money in the future, with a greater proportion going to the regions.
The Government's new tourism strategy, "Tomorrow's Tourism" which was published on 26 February, sets out specific proposals for action by Government, local authorities, tourist boards and the industry to promote the sustainable development of a modern, competitive, high quality tourism industry. This will benefit all regions, including the North West.