§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will estimate the number of tourists who visited the United Kingdom in each quarter of 1977, and the amount spent by those tourists; and what is his best estimate of the effect on the index of retail sales volume of spending by tourists.
§ Mr. MeacherEstimates of the number of overseas tourists who visited the United Kingdom and the amount spent152W by these tourists are available only up to the second quarter of 1977. The figures, which were published in Trade and Industry on 4th November, are as follows:
In broad terms, it is estimated that annual spending by overseas visitors in retail outlets now accounts for around 1½ 2 per cent. of total retail sales.
Number ('000) Expenditure (£m.) 1977— First quarter … 1,867 332 Second quarter. … 2,909 497