§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was, for each year since 1969, the total amount of financial assistance provided for the tourist industry; and if he will itemise the principal forms of Government aid to the industry.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe tourist industry received direct financial assistance amounting to approximately £1 million in 1969–70 and £3.5 million in 1970–71. Comparable figures for 1971–72 are not yet available.
The principal forms of direct Government aid to the industry are:
- (i) Hotel development incentives under Part II of the Development of Tourism Act 1969–70. (1969–70—£.12 million; 1970–71—£2.56 million.)
- (ii) Assistance to tourist projects in development areas under Section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act, 1969 (introduced in 1971–72).
- (iii) The Tourism Loan Fund administered by the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas. (1969–70—£.57 million; 1970–71—£.553 million.)
- (iv) The Tourism Loan Fund administered by the Small Industries Council for Rural Areas of Scotland. (1969–70—£.058 million; 1970–71—£.102 million.)
- (v) Assistance to tourism by the Highlands and Islands Development Board. (1969–70—£.260 million; 1970–71—£.236 million.)
In addition, the industry benefited from the promotional and other work carried out by the British Tourist Authority and the national Tourist Boards established in August, 1969. Government financial support for this work amounted to approximately £1.6 million in1969–70 (part year) and £4.2 million in 1970–71. Details of expenditure in 1971–72 are not available but the approved grants for the tourist boards (including the BTA) amounted to just over £5 million in that year.
332Wover the previous years are given in brackets.
The tourist industry also benefits indirectly from Government expenditure on other accounts, for example road construction, national parks and forestry.