Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Harrington of Watford and Damien Moore

Tuesday 20th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

7. What the timetable is for bringing forward a tourism sector deal under the industrial strategy.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Richard Harrington)]

Sector deals are part of our industrial strategy and vital in building strategic partnerships with the Government and mutual commitments to boost productivity in specific sectors. We have already concluded seven and we are working on more. Under the auspices of Steve Ridgway, whom I thank for his leadership, we have a lot of interest from the tourism sector in exploring a sector deal and we are doing so.

[Damien Moore]

Could my hon. Friend elaborate on whether there will be a similar deal for the hospitality industry in the new year?

[Richard Harrington]

Before I saw the light and went into politics, I spent 25 years in the tourism and hospitality industry, and there is nothing I would like more than to conclude a sector deal with it. I have met with officials and industry leaders, have the full support of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and look forward to concluding a deal in the new year.