§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds have been allocated by his Department for the consumer marketing of the harmonised accommodation rating scheme. [85296]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The funding of £11.8 million allocated to the English Tourist Board last December represents an increase of £2.1 million from the previous year. The increase is to be used for transforming the ETB into the English Tourism Council and also recognises our desire for a successful consumer launch of the new harmonised accommodation 96W rating schemes. In accordance with our funding agreement with the ETB and the recent "Report and Action Plan for Establishing a New National Body for Tourism in England", the ETB has budgeted £300,000 of its total Government allocation for the consumer launch, which it is planning in partnership with the AA and the RAC for this September.