HC Deb 18 January 1994 vol 235 cc490-1W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress being made on Her Majesty's Government's review of tourism support arrangements in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 17 January 1994]: Good progress is being made in implementing the decisions announced by my right hon. Friend on 29 June 1993 following the tourism review.

To ensure collaboration at the national level, my right hon. Friend has appointed representatives of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to the board of the Scottish tourist board. I hope to announce shortly the measures we are taking to strengthen the Scottish tourism co-ordinating group and the Scottish Confederation of Tourism. I expect the first national strategic plan for tourism to be published in the spring.

Arrangements for the Scottish tourist board's assumption of Highlands and Islands Enterprise's tourism marketing and visitor service functions with effect from 1 April 1994, for the consolidation of business support within the enterprise network, and for the relocation of some of the board's functions to Inverness are well advanced.

The provisions of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill confirm the important role which local authorities have in supporting the tourist industry and provide for the establishment of a co-ordinated and coherent network of area tourist boards covering the whole of Scotland.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he will announce the Government's intentions regarding the future of tourism support in Scotland;

(2) what reduction the Scottish tourist board has proposed in the number of area tourist boards in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 17 January 1994]: The Scottish tourist board has submitted a recommendation on a new area tourist board structure to my right hon. Friend. This is being considered carefully and an announcement will be made in due course.