§ 24. Mr. Robert BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what response he has made to the proposal by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities for a tourism tax on hotels.
§ Mr. SproatI am aware of the document produced by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, although I have not been approached for a response. I shall monitor developments with interest, although local taxation is primarily a matter for the Department of the Environment.
I am glad to see that the paper acknowledges the difficulties inherent in introducing a tourism tax. Many sectors of the tourism industry are opposed to the idea, and the impact of such a tax on tourism earnings would have to be very carefully considered.