HC Deb 08 May 2002 vol 385 cc247-8W
Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was paid from public funds to support the British Tourism Industry in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [54012]

Dr. Howells

The following table sets out moneys paid from public funds to support and compensate the British tourism industry in the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02. DCMS provides funding for the British Tourist Authority (BTA) to promote Britain overseas but other direct public funding to the tourism industry in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved administrations, and is not included in the table. Other moneys, mostly administered by the English Tourism Council (ETC), from central Government are included.

£million
Recipient of Payment 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
British Tourist Authority 37.5 37.02 149.7
English Tourism Council 212.1 10.068 314.869
Greater London Authority (GLA)4 1.9
Other English grants5 0.4 0.1 0.057
1 This £49.7 million includes £14.2 million for foot and mouth disease (FMD) recovery.
2 Grant in aid paid to the English Tourist Board (ETB), predecessor to the English Tourism Council.
3This £14.869 million includes £0.6 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund and £3.8 million to tackle FMD.
4As from 2001–02 public funding of tourism in London was granted by DCMS to the GLA—before it had been part of BTA and ETB/ETC grants.
5Including Sector Challenge, Invest to Save Budget, and Tourism Strategy Fund.

In addition to this direct Government funding:

  1. (a) Local authorities spend over £90 million per year in England promoting and developing tourism in their areas;
  2. (b) The Regional Development Agencies' Business Recovery Fund made £74 million available in 2001–02 to target help for rural businesses, including tourism businesses, affected by the implications of foot and mouth disease (FMD); and
  3. (c) DCMS's £1 billion expenditure on arts, museums, galleries, sport etc. also directly benefits tourism.

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