HC Deb 15 May 1995 vol 260 c64W
19. Mr. William O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures his Department is taking to help tourism; and if he will make a statement. [22484]

Mr. Dorrell

On 1 March, my Department published "Tourism: Competing with the Best" which set out an action programme for Government and the tourist boards aimed at revitalising the accommodation sector and improving marketing effectiveness. We are making good progress and I intend to make announcements at key stages on all of the initiatives we are pursuing.

25. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the United Kingdom's VAT rate on tourism. [22491]

Mr. Dorrell

I am not aware of any conclusive evidence that the UK's VAT rate places the tourism industry at a competitive disadvantage. The report on VAT published by the British Tourist Authority on 1 May does not take account of all the different costs to tourism business in other EU member states.

26. Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures he is proposing to encourage domestic and inbound tourism; and if he will make a statement. [22492]

Mr. Dorrell

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien).