To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment Visit Britain has made of the impact of legislation and regulation on the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement. (231347)

VisitBritain has made no recent assessment of the impact of legislation and regulation on the tourism industry. Through the annual simplification plan process, the Government are taking action to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on business arising from legislation. Any new legislation must go through a separate impact assessment process which considers the costs and benefits of the proposed regulation. DCMS will continue to liaise with the tourism and hospitality industry on better regulation matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department plans to respond to the eighth report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, HC 133-I, on tourism. (232212)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: The Government response to the eighth report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on tourism was tabled on Monday 20 October.