Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what base year was used to calculate the level of visitor numbers when setting the Revenue Support Grant for 2003–04. [130897]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe 2003–04 Local Government Finance Settlement included estimates of day visitors and overnight visitors.
The estimates of day visitors were based on research using information from the Leisure Day Visits Survey 1988–89, 1991 Census, 1991 Survey of Visits to Tourist Attractions, 1991 Census of Employment and other information about urban areas, National Parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and official bathing beaches. The information used was that available to the Secretary of State for National Heritage on 1 November 1993.
The estimates of overnight visitors were generally based on information from the United Kingdom Tourism Surveys (1993 to 2001), for domestic visitors; and from the International Passenger Surveys (1999 to 2001) and the 1991 Census for foreign visitors.
Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he made of visitor numbers to Worcester City when calculating the Revenue Support Grant for 2003–04. [130898]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe figure used in the calculation of the 2003–04 Local Government Finance Settlement for the annual number of day visitors to Worcester City was 2,188,000. Overnight visitors are not included in the calculation for district councils.
Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he next plans to assess visitor numbers used in the Revenue Support Grant allocation. [130899]
§ Mr. RaynsfordA review of the visitor indicators used in the calculation of Formula Spending Shares is planned to commence early in 2004.
The 2003–04 Local Government Finance Settlement saw the introduction of a new formula. To give some stability, it was announced there would be no further Formula Spending Share formula changes until 2006–07 at the earliest, except where there are changes in the functions of councils, or the financing of particular services. During this time data will continue to be updated.
Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of(a) the night-time economy and (b) visitor numbers for county towns when setting the Revenue Support Grant. [130900]
§ Mr. RaynsfordOvernight visitors to an area are included in the calculations for the Police and Highway Maintenance Formula Spending Shares. Day visitors are included in calculations for the Police, Highway Maintenance and Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services Formula Spending Share.
Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he will use 2001 census data to determine country of birth indicators when allocating revenue support grants in 2004–05. [130902]
1032W
§ Mr. RaynsfordData from the 1991 census will be used to determine the country of birth indicators in the calculation of the 2004–05 Local Government Finance Settlement.