§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with representatives of One North East regarding(a) the tourism industry and (b) the Northumbria Tourist Board. [144962]
§ Mr. CabornNeither I nor my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have had recent discussions with representatives of One North East regarding(a) the tourism industry and (b) the Northumbria Tourist Board. However, officials from my Department's Tourism Division and from the Government Office for the North East have been in regular contact with One North East as they have taken on their strategic responsibility for tourism in the region and have had discussions with representatives of the Northumbria Tourist Board. I have asked One North East and the other English Regional Development Agencies to work with their tourist boards and the industry to decide upon the best support structure for the tourism industry in their particular region. I understand that One North East is working towards the introduction of a new structure for the delivery of tourism in the North East.
£000 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 Revenue Support Grant 69,460 65,703 72,305 75,574 74,395 78,789 74,672 91,122 102,243 National Non- Domestic Rates 42,108 39,269 40,857 44,154 49,674 48,615 53,162 51,772 49,369 Specific Grants within AEF1 5,774 4,548 6,457 6,988 12,834 18,546 21,523 24,891 2— 1Information on specific grants up until 2002–03 is taken from local authority outturn returns. From 2003–04, where outturn information is not yet available this is based on local authority budget returns. 2Data not available until spring 2004 when they will be reported by local authorities on their RA and RA(SG) returns. Note:
The grants are on an unadjusted basis and may not be comparable between years, because transfers of function may have taken place.
1072WMy officials continue to work with the RDAs to help ensure a planned and smooth transition to any new arrangements.