Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Tourism Industry

Wednesday 8 July 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Peter Gibson asked the Secretary of State to outline what representations have been made to the Welsh Government to encourage them to open up their economy for tourism.
  • Liz Saville-Roberts inquired if the Secretary of State supports a Welsh tourism voucher scheme similar to those in Malta and Poland.
  • The Secretary of State suggested that focusing solely on tourism for Wales is too narrow and advised Liz Saville-Roberts to consider the broader support provided by the UK Government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Gibson Con Darlington
Wales
Context

The UK Government has provided support to the tourism industry during the pandemic, and there is concern about how quickly Wales can safely reopen.

Question

The people of Darlington have a great fondness for Wales. Can the Secretary of State outline what representations he has made to the Welsh Government to encourage them to open up their economy, so that my constituents and others from across England can enjoy all its attractions?

Answer from Simon Hart (The Secretary of State for Wales)

I am not sure that I understand why there was sniggering from the Opposition ranks in response to the point that the residents of Darlington might want to visit Wales. We absolutely want residents of Darlington and everywhere else to visit Wales, as has always been the case, but it does need a clear plan; and what has been lacking so far is a clear plan that enables our tourism industry to welcome with open arms residents of Darlington and other places back into the country in the few remaining weeks of the season.

Answered
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Q2 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
Wales
Context

The UK Government has been supporting jobs, livelihoods, and businesses across Wales. The Welsh nationalist MP seeks specific measures to boost the tourism industry.

Question

Liz Saville-Roberts asks if the Secretary of State supports introducing a Welsh tourism voucher scheme similar to those in Malta and Poland, aimed at aiding recovery by encouraging domestic travel for outdoor attractions, accommodation, and transport.

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

Simon Hart suggests that referring to Wales solely as a tourism industry is too narrow and urges Liz Saville-Roberts to acknowledge the broader support provided by the UK Government, without directly addressing her specific question about VAT reductions or voucher schemes.

Answered

Not addressed: Support for specific measures such as VAT reductions and tourism vouchers was not addressed.

How: Redirecting To A Broader View Of Support

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