Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Menzies Excerpts

Thursday 16th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Lee Rowley (North East Derbyshire) (Con)]

3. What steps her Department is taking to support the tourism industry throughout the UK.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

11. What steps her Department is taking to support the tourism industry throughout the UK.

[Adam Afriyie (Windsor) (Con)]

14. What steps her Department is taking to support the tourism industry throughout the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[Helen Whately]

I know that my hon. Friend has been working hard and lobbying a range of Ministers to support the regeneration of the Chesterfield canal—rightly so, as it is a fabulously ambitious project to restore that historic and beautiful waterway in time for its 250th anniversary. I would be delighted to visit to find out more.

[Mark Menzies]

As you are well aware, Mr Speaker, Fylde is at the heart of the Lancashire riviera, with fabulous beaches and world-class golf courses. With inadequate transport infrastructure, however, people struggle to access it. What representation is the Minister making in Government to ensure that people can visit our seaside gems?

[Helen Whately]

My hon. Friend is correct that our wonderful coastline, including in his constituency, is one of the great things that our country has to offer visitors. We are supporting coastal tourism, including with the £45 Discover England fund. The Government have also invested £229 million in the Coastal Communities fund—including in his area—and there is the English coast path. I completely agree, however, that we could and should be doing more to support our seaside attractions. I would be delighted to meet him to discuss his constituency’s infrastructure requirements and to arrange a meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport to lobby on his behalf.