To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tourist information centres there were in (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2007; and if he will make a statement. (166572)

There are currently around 500 Tourist Information Centres (TICs) in England. Historical information about TIC numbers is not held centrally.

The vast majority of TICs are managed by local authorities, as part of their discretionary support for the sector. Decisions about provision will continue to be made at a local level.