HC Deb 15 March 2004 vol 419 c58W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the work of regional development agencies in developing tourism in Crosby. [160564]

Mr. Caborn

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) is working closely with The Mersey Partnership (TMP), the nominated Destination Management Organisation (DMQ) for Merseyside.

During 2003–04 TMP received £320,000 from NWDA's Marketing Image Budget for tourism and investment campaigns to promote Merseyside, including Crosby. In addition, £419,000 was provided from NWDA's Tourism budget for a variety of projects. However, NWDA does not have a specific breakdown of funding provided to the area at this stage.

NWDA has also supported a programme for the Mersey Waterfront Regional Park, which covers an area from Southport to Wirral, including Crosby. The programme is aimed at transforming and energising the Mersey Waterfront to produce a unique sense of place for people to live, work, visit and invest in Merseyside.