HC Deb 03 May 1988 vol 132 c358W
34. Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much Britain has received in European Community grants for tourism-related projects over the last three years.

Mr. Lee

Over the last three calendar years (1985 to 1987) tourism and tourism-related projects in England have received nearly £70 million in infrastructure grants from the European regional development fund.

39. Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many overseas visitors came to London in 1987; and how much they spent.

Mr. Lee

It is estimated by the London tourist board that there were 9 million overnight visits to London by overseas residents in 1987, spending £3.7 billion during the period they stayed in London.

65. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the relationship between tourism and jobs in rural areas.

Mr. Lee

The English tourist board calculates that in 1986 a total of £3,000 million was spent by visitors to the countryside, with much of this revenue going to local shops, pubs, hotels, restaurants and attractions thereby helping to support rural jobs.

The English tourist board anticipates a growth in rural tourism of 20 to 25 per cent. by 1992 with jobs in rural areas also increasing.