Levy the tourists

In his letter of 13 July, Paul Birrell quite rightly rightly mentions the superior standards of refuse collection and cleansing in Toulouse as compared to Edinburgh. However, he goes on to suggest “the [Edinburgh] city authorities should welcome the revenue brought in by tourism and invest some of it” in improving the cleanliness of the city. The problem is there is no direct revenue accruing from tourism to the city council. Even any indirect income from increased business rateable value is minimal as business rates go into a common pool to be redistributed by the Scottish Government to local authorities all over Scotland.

On the other hand Toulouse, in common with other cities in France and throughout Europe, levies a tourist tax which is set by the local authority and graduated according to the type of accommodation.

It is surely long overdue for legislation to be passed to enable Edinburgh and other councils to introduce a similar levy.

ROBERT CAIRNS Harrietfield, Perthshire