I commend my right hon. Friend on the frank and sensitive way in which he has dealt with the private notice question. Will my right hon.
Tourism is an increasingly important issue for the north-east.
Over the past five to 10 years, the rural economy has become much more bound up with tourism. The growth of farm tourism, for example, has been a major element in the expansion of tourism activity in rural areas, and it has been almost completely wiped out during the foot and mouth epidemic. These issues are gravely affecting many parts of the country, and they need to be taken seriously. Whereas in many industries that loss would be concentrated, in the tourism industry 120,000 small businesses risk not just loss of profit but bankruptcy. Secondly, does the right hon.