HC Deb 23 June 1997 vol 296 cc371-2W
10. Mrs. McGuire

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for encouraging the improvement of training and qualifications in the tourism industry. [3090]

19. Ms Jenny Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for encouraging the improvement of training and qualifications in the tourist industry. [3102]

Mr. Tom Clarke

Training and investment in people is one of our key policy aims for the tourism and hospitality industries. We will pursue this aim in partnership with those industries, tourist boards, local authorities and others, together with colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment.

18. Mr. Dobbin

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the United Kingdom income from tourism. [3101]

Mr. Clarke

The Government is working with the industry, the tourist boards, local authorities and others to ensure that tourism is making its full contribution to the UK economy. In 1995, the industry was worth £38 billion, equivalent to over 5 per cent. of the UK's GDP, and it has great potential for growth.

26. Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what work opportunities the tourism industry will provide to the welfare-to-work programme. [3111]

Mr. Clarke

The tourism industry is well placed to play a key role in the welfare-to-work initiative. The industry has enormous potential for employment

National lottery awards to 31 March 1997
Population Total number of awards Total award amount £ Amount per capita £
England
London: Total 6,933,000 1,664 774,055,059 111.65
London (National Institutions) — 39 478,007,408 68.95
London (Other) — 1,625 296,047,651 242.70
North-west 5,478,725 1,008 300,729,369 54.89

generation. It already supports some 1.6 million jobs, a number which could grow up to one million in the next decade. We shall be looking to leading employers within the industry to support the Government's initiative.