HC Deb 16 May 1989 vol 153 cc166-7W
29. Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the development of tourism in Northumbria.

Mr. Lee

Northumbria already attracts more than 4 million visitors each year. With its combination of beautiful countryside, historic towns, and a wealth of natural and heritage attractions, the region offers considerable potential for further expansion of its tourism industry. The Gateshead garden festival in 1990 will help provide an additional stimulus to the development of the region.

98. Mr. Sumberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met with local tourist authorities to discuss promoting and developing tourism in the north-west of England.

Mr. Lee

I am in virtually weekly contact with north-west tourist authorities to discuss promoting and developing tourism in that region.

37. Mr. Bevan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the tourism and catering industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

It is estimated that, in December 1988, there were 1.4 million employees in employment in tourism-related industries in Great Britain. This figure includes only those catering activities related to tourism. There are no directly comparable estimates for the number of self-employed, but according to the preliminary results of the 1988 labour force survey, it is estimated that there were 0.2 million self-employed workers in the hotel and catering industry in the spring of 1988.