A new Tourism Authority should be up and running by the end of the current Parliamentary session, according to Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell.In January, Mr Crockwell announced plans to create the new, non-political body which would be responsible for product development and marketing strategies for the Island’s tourism industry. Run by industry experts, the authority will take over much of the work previously carried out by civil servants and politicians within the Ministry of Tourism. Hotelier David Dodwell has already been appointed chairman of the organisation.Claiming that the authority would “maintain continuity and ensure that political interference is removed” from the industry, Mr Crockwell had said Government hoped to set up the authority within six months.And yesterday he confirmed that legislation formally creating the organisation had been drafted and was waiting to go before the House of Assembly.“The statutory framework for the Tourism Authority will be tabled and debated in the House during this session which is the first opportunity the Government has had to pass the necessary legislation,” Mr Crockwell said.“Establishing the Authority remains our number one priority and it will be accomplished before the House adjourns.”Traditionally, the House of Assembly rises for its summer break at the end of July.