§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Paymaster General what information he has about the number of proposed visits to the United Kingdom in the current year by tourists from (a) the United States of America and (b) other countries which have been cancelled since 15 April; what information he has as to the principal reasons given for these cancellations; and what estimate is available to him of their cost to the United Kingdom tourist industry and to the United Kingdom economy.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have no detailed or reliable information on the number of cancellations by prospective tourists since 15 April. Some sources in the industry have suggested that the number of tourists from the United States of America could be down this year by around 15 per cent. as a result of growing fears since the beginning of the year of terrorist activity and other causes such as exchange rates. Such a reduction could lead to a drop in tourist spending in the United Kingdom of around 3 per cent. I can assure the hon. Member that we are taking every opportunity to convey the message to prospective visitors that Britain is a safe destination. There is no evidence of any cancellations from any other countries at present.