Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Davies Excerpts

Thursday 31st January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Perhaps we can get through the remaining questions without replies that take a minute and a half. Hopeless! Sorry, but hopeless!

[Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)]

4. What steps his Department is taking to support tourism throughout the UK.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Michael Ellis)]

Tourism is an incredibly important part—one of the most important parts—of the UK economy, generating £68 billion a year and employing more than 1.5 million people. Visit Britain and the GREAT campaign, backed by significant Government support, continue successfully to promote the UK internationally.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Ellis]

I know what the Government want, Mr Speaker. So—[Interruption.] I think our colleague was going to ask a question.

[Chris Davies]

If the Minister does not mind, I will ask my question before he answers it!

In my beautiful constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire, the River Teme runs through the scenic Teme valley into Shropshire, the River Wye runs through the idyllic Wye valley into Herefordshire, and the well-trodden tourist trail of Offa’s Dyke—where one can walk with one foot in England in one foot in Wales—runs down my constituency border. Will my hon. Friend confirm that his Department will ensure that rural tourism is indeed cross-border?

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman’s question was charming, but it was too long.