HC Deb 10 February 1989 vol 146 cc867-8W
Dr. Owen

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total of Government support for the tourist industry in 1988 prices for each year from 1960 to 1988 for the south west region and separately for Devon and Cornwall; and what is the projected amount for the next five years.

Mr. Lee

Total funds made available by the English tourist board to support tourism in the south west region, through subventions to the west country tourist board, payments under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 and, in 1971–72 and 1972–73, under the hotel development incentives scheme, at constant 1987–88 prices, were as follows:

£
1971–72 129,472
1972–73 830,381
1973–74 801,818
1974–75 866,538
1975–76 1,241,240
£
1976–77 991,504
1977–78 951,349
1978–79 904,050
1979–80 1,781,136
1980–81 1,633,740
1981–82 2,171,574
1982–83 1,331,250
1983–84 3,443,496
1984–85 2,351,520
1985–86 2,796,238
1986–87 3,954,080
1987–88 3,431,000
1988–89 1
1 estimated to end of January 1989, at actual prices—£2,538,500

Separate figures for Devon and Cornwall, and for Government assistance prior to the formation of the west country tourist board in June 1971, could only be provided at disproportionate cost. No projections have been made as to the amount of support for the next five years.

In addition, the tourist industry receives substantial support through a number of other Government Departments.