§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the activities undertaken by the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths), to promote tourism in the United Kingdom. [7406]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 9 July 1997]: My hon. Friend has met representatives of the outbound travel industry who employ over 35,000 people in the UK and contribute over £1 billion to the British economy.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what engagements the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) has fulfilled outside the United Kingdom. [7407]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 9 July 1997]: Since taking up post on 5 May 1997 my hon. Friend has undertaken the following engagements:
visit to Antwerp for the purpose of a speaking engagement at the ITSA conference on 24 June and various functions recognised by my Department:visit to Athens for the purpose of a speaking engagement at the IT conference on 28 June and various meetings to promote British trade in Greece by 20 UK companies on 25, 26 and 27 June.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the engagements for the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths), outside the United Kingdom during the next three months. [7404]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 9 July 1997]: None.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade which Minister will be responsible for recommending a course of action to her on the MMC investigation into the travel and tourism industry; and what is the current role of the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths), in the inquiry. [7405]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 9 July 1997]: My hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths), has made it clear that he will stand aside from consideration of the MMC report into tour operators and travel agents. The report is not expected until November.