§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement about Government policy on tourism in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HowardI have published today, along with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, "Tourism in the UK—Realising the Potential". I have placed a copy in the Library.
The document sets out the extent of the Government's support for the tourism industry, both financially and in creating an environment in which the industry can prosper. It describes activities and initiatives that directly or indirectly benefit tourism. It is an impressive record, which features the work of most Government Departments.
568WThe document also announces a package of further measures to help the industry. They include:
A major new foreign language initiative to improve the quality of service that the tourism industry can offer foreign visitors.The setting of standards for the times that visitors from abroad should expect to wait before being seen by a United Kingdom immigration officer.Consultation on possible changes to the liquor licensing laws in England and Wales which would provide for a system of children's certificates; for a new category of liquor licence specifically for cafe type premises; and possibly for other reforms, in order to make it easier for families to eat and drink together.Research into how the system of central Government grants to local authorities can best take account of the costs of serving day visitors.Measures to improve coach parking in London.The designation of 1993 as Industrial Heritage Year.A proposal by the United Kingdom Government to the European Commission for an initiative to ensure that all member states co-operate to give people with disabilities information on the tourist facilities available to them and to exchange best practice on this subject.