§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tourists have visited Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information required is a s follows:
Numbers 1976 432,000 1977 503,000 1978 628,000 1979 728,000 1980 710,000 1981 583,000 1982 712,000 1983 865,000 1984 908,000 1985 863,000 Visitor numbers have doubled since 1976. The slight fall in 1985 was due to fewer visitors from the Republic of Ireland, which I understand was in turn largely attributable to economic and fiscal factors. Northern Ireland is an attractive and welcoming place for holidaymakers and business men.