HC Deb 05 July 1988 vol 136 cc544-5W
16. Mr. Dickens

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much the tourism industry earns in terms of overseas earnings; and what equivalent information he has for other major industries.

Mr. Lee

Overseas earnings from tourism were £6.237 billion in 1987, three times as much as earnings from car exports, which were £1,981 million, and nearly 25 per cent. higher than earnings from aerospace exports, which were £4,996 million. Overseas tourism earns half as much as the financial services sector and altogether accounts for over 20 per cent. of the service sector's total earnings. This is equivalent to about 10 per cent. of the value of all manufacturing exports.

98. Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the increase in the total number of jobs in the tourism industry in the year to December 1987.

Mr. Lee

It is estimated that the number of employees in employment in tourism-related industries increased by 41,000, or 3 per cent., between December 1986 and December 1987. The self-employed are not included in this estimate.

102. Mr. Ken Hargreaves

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what he is doing in schools to promote awareness of tourism as a career.

Mr. Lee

A number of initiatives are under way, including some 20 projects funded under the technical and vocational education initiative. I also constantly encourage the tourism industry itself to promote the excellent and varied career opportunities that it offers. It is pleasing to see the range of careers material aimed at young people that is now available.

117. Mr. David Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the increase in jobs in the tourism industry in the regions outside London and the south-east between December 1985 and December 1987.

Mr. Lee

Regional information for the tourist industry as a whole is not available for the period specified. However, it is estimated that the number of employees in employment specifically in the hotel and catering industry outside London and the south-east increased by 51,000 or 8 per cent. between December 1985 and December 1987. The self-employed are not included in this estimate.

158. Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what further plans he has to encourage jobs in tourism in East Anglia; and what assessment he has made of the impact of tourists in the region.

Mr. Lee

My Department will continue to support the work of the English tourist board and the East Anglia tourist hoard in promoting the expansion of tourism in East Anglia, thereby helping to create more jobs not only in the tourist sector but also in other related industries in the area. In 1987 employment in the hotel and catering sectors in the East Anglia employment region was 34,000, compared with 23,000 in 1977, an increase of 47 per cent. It should be noted, however, that these figures are subject to significant sampling errors. During the same period tourism spend went up from £240 million to £670 million, an increase of 179 per cent.