§ Mr. MooreTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will ensure that the Scottish Tourist Board helps to promote sustainable development and biodiversity in Scotland; [49742]
(2) what plans he has to include environmental duties and a commitment to sustainable development in the remit of the Scottish Tourist Board. [49743]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Government are committed to the principle of environmentally sustainable tourism. Our policy is to promote Scotland as an environmentally sound destination. The Scottish Tourist Board (STB), on the Government's behalf, is a major player in the Tourism and the Environment Task Force. The Board supports all of the Task Force's activities which are designed to increase environmental awareness throughout the tourism industry and to promote environmentally sensitive tourism development. STB has recently developed and launched a "Green Tourism Business Scheme" which aims to enable businesses working in the hospitality sector to address their environmental responsibilities.