§ Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that regional enterprise units do not compete with or shadow the functions of regional tourist boards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeThe terms of reference of the Department's regional enterprise units include developing links with tourist bodies, identifying obstacles to the growth of tourism, and supporting any co-ordinating machinery established for discussing tourism at the regional level. There are no plans for them to duplicate or shadow the functions of the regional tourist boards.
§ Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will ensure that the tripartite structure in funding and control of regional tourist boards is maintained; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will ensure that the levels of subsidies to the regional tourist boards keep pace with inflation; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will provide additional funds to the regional tourist boards to undertake research into (a) domestic and international tourist trends, (b) occupancy work and (c) visitor surveys.
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§ Mr. LeeThe organisational structure of the English regional tourist boards (RTBs) is not a matter for Government to decide. The role and level of funding of RTBs is currently being considered as part of the review of tourism policy announced last July by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.