Oral Answers to Questions

Glyn Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 16th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr Glyn Davies.

[Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The tourism industry in mid-Wales—

[Mr Llwyd]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Crabb]

Again, the right hon. Gentleman is quite right. VisitBritain has an important role to play in promoting Wales as part of promoting the UK more generally. He will be aware of the additional resources that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in the autumn statement for VisitBritain. The challenge for Wales is how we capture a greater share of the UK tourism spend coming into the country. We look forward to meeting VisitBritain very soon to talk about the specific challenge facing tourism in Wales.

[Glyn Davies]

Thank you again, Mr Speaker. Tourism in mid-Wales is very much based on landscape and the scenic beauty of the area. What assessment has my hon. Friend made of the impact on tourism in mid-Wales if the Mid Wales Connection goes ahead, with its 600 additional turbines and 100 miles of extra power cables, and of the damage that will do?

[Stephen Crabb]

My hon. Friend will be aware of the close interest that the Department of Energy and Climate Change is taking in the proposed development in mid-Wales. Members on both sides of the House will share his concern that the beauty of mid-Wales be preserved as best possible.