To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce powers for the English tourist board to promote England as a tourist destination overseas.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is informing the House separately of the Government's views on whether powers should be granted to the Wales tourist board, corresponding to those enjoyed by the Scottish tourist board under the Tourism (Overseas Promotion) (Scotland) Act 1984. The Government are also considering whether, at an appropriate time, the English tourist board should be granted similar powers. I therefore intend shortly to arrange for representatives of the tourism industry to be consulted on this question.