§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimated contribution of the conference industry to the economy; what are the numbers employed in the industry; and what is the current level of grant from his Department.
§ Mr. LeeThe British tourist survey carried out by the British Tourist Authority-English tourist board showed that in 1987 expenditure on business and conference tourism by British residents was £1.7 billion.
The ETB estimates that over £220 million worth of major construction work for the conference market was under way or completed in the period January-June 1988. Since April 1988, almost £2 million has been offered by ETB from the section 4 innovation fund towards the costs of developing conference facilities. No information is available on the total number employed in the conference industry.