§ Mr. Couchmanasked the Paymaster General what efforts he is making to ensure that more responsibility is devolved to the regional tourist boards.
§ Mr. TrippierThe English Tourist Board has already taken some welcome steps following the Government's 1983 tourism review to devolve activities to the regional tourist boards including by providing some additional funding for regional marketing initiatives and delegating section 4 appraisal work for smaller cases. The regional boards will also be responsible for administering the new voluntary hotel registration scheme. My Department will be discussing with the ETB how the regional boards' role can be further strengthened so that they can contribute more effectively to the development of tourism in England.