§ 62. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage foreign tourists to visit the North-West Region.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantUnder the Development of Tourism Act, 1969, it is the responsibility of the British Tourist Authority to encourage overseas visitors to come to all parts of Great Britain and many visit the North-West.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will consult with local authorities with a view to developing tourism and providing adequate facilities for accommodation and recreation in the North-West Region;
(2) whether he will assist the English Tourist Board in projecting the image of Manchester as a sporting, commercial and cultural centre with access to beauty spots, in order to increase the volume of overseas visitors to the area.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantUnder the Development of Tourism Act, 1969, it is the function of the English Tourist Board to encourage people to visit all parts of England. It is also the function of the board to encourage the provision of tourist amenities and to undertake appropriate consultation with local authorities and other interests.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has studied the British Travel Survey of 13W 1971, a copy of which is in his possession, showing that only 3 per cent. of young visitors to Great Britain from Belgium visited the north-west of England as compared with 79 per cent. for London; and what action he is taking to assist the public and private agencies in redressing this balance.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe hon. Member is referring to an article on youth visitors from Western Europe to Great Britain, and not to the British National Travel Survey, 1971. It is the responsibility of the tourist boards to encourage overseas visitors to visit places away from London and I know that they are constantly considering ways and means of doing so.