§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on visitor numbers to the United Kingdom from(a) within and (b) outside the EU, of the introduction of a single currency not including the United Kingdom. [16792]
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeMany factors influence the numbers of visitors to the UK, and it is difficult to quantify the effect of each factor. Anything which eases the movement of people is generally seen by the industry to be positive. The travel and tourism industry is represented on the Business Advisory Group established by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider the practical implications of the single currency for businesses, whether or not the United Kingdom joins. A report summarising the Advisory Group's work will be published early in 1998.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many visitors to the United Kingdom were from(a) the Far East, (b) the EU and (c) the USA in each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement on trends in visitor numbers. [16790]
388W
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeIn 1995 and 1996, the number of visits made to the UK by residents of the Far East, the EU and the USA was as follows (in millions of visits):
Million 1995 1996 Far East 1.7 1.6 EU 13.9 15.5 USA 3.1 3.1