§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress he has made to equalise fire, safety and health regulations faced by the tourist industry in the European Union.
§ Mr. SproatI have held a series of meetings with ministerial colleagues with a view to reducing the impact of legislative and bureaucratic burdens on tourism, and discussions are continuing between Department and a number of other Departments. The areas of regulation under discussion include fire precautions, food hygiene and some elements of health and safety at work legislation. The implementation and enforcement of regulations in these34W areas in other European Union member states is not within the Government's control, but I am concerned to ensure that the tourism industry in the United Kingdom is not put at a disadvantage because regulations are enforced in more rigorous manner here than in other member states.