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Film Industry
13. Barbara Follett: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures he proposes to encourage Britain's creative industries with particular reference to film. [3096]
Mr. Chris Smith: My Department recently announced the setting up of a Film Policy Review Group whose task will be to formulate an agenda for action for the film industry and for the Government's support to it. It will be the aim of the group to double the audience for British films and to help the film industry to achieve its full creative and economic potential.
More broadly, the Government will take action to help the creative industries to flourish, thereby creating new jobs and new opportunities in the domestic market, boosting exports, and encouraging tourism and inward investment.
24. Dr. Kumar:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to assist the British film industry. [3109]
Mr. Tom Clarke:
My Department recently announced the setting up of a Film Policy Review Group whose task will be to formulate an agenda for action for the film industry and for the Government's support to it. It will be the aim of the group to double the audience for British films and to help the film industry to achieve its full creative and economic potential.
The Group will be co-chaired by myself and Stewart Till of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. The members all have a real working knowledge of what it takes to achieve artistic and commercial success, both in Britain and abroad.
14. Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement concerning his policy on regional orchestras. [3097]
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Mr. Fisher:
The Government has placed access at the heart of its arts policies. I have the highest regard for the excellence of our regional orchestras and for the opportunities they create for more people to enjoy music. The regional orchestras, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, in which I know my hon. Friend takes a particularly keen interest, are bringing music of the highest standards to audiences across the country and, indeed, abroad.
15. Dr. Lynda Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the availability of public library services. [3098]
27. Mr. David Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the availability of public library services. [3112]
Mr. Fisher:
The Government is committed to developing the public library service as an essential part of an informed and educated society. The harnessing of new technology will play a vital part in this. I have therefore asked the Library and Information Commission to report on how public libraries can respond effectively to the challenge of new information and communication technology. Its report is due at the end of July.
17. Mr. Timms:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are his Department's proposals for the millennium exhibition. [3100]
Mr. Chris Smith:
Last week my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister confirmed our full backing for the millennium exhibition. We took this decision on the basis of five clear commitments to the British people: the exhibition will have a durable legacy; it will have
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nationwide relevance and links; it will have a content that reflects technological progress and provides a window to the future; it will cost no more public money, other than that required for site clearance; and it will have an enhanced creative team.
20. Mrs. Ann Keen:
To ask the Secretary of State for the National Heritage what plans he has to enable greater access by the public to the arts. [3104]
Mr. Fisher:
Access is at the heart of my Department's policies. We believe strongly that the public has a right to better access in return for the public funding which goes into the arts. We have made a number of specific proposals aimed at increasing access to the arts. These include plans to pilot open theatre nights and an Artscard scheme for young people and to review the case for admission charges to core collections in our national museums and galleries.
22. Mr. Macdonald:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the provisions relating to the purchase of land in the national interest through the national heritage memorial fund. [3106]
Mr. Banks:
The Government is reviewing the distribution of lottery proceeds generally. We will be considering the funding strategies of all the distributing bodies as part of that review. But we see no immediate need to amend the statutory powers of the National Heritage Memorial Fund in relation to land acquisition projects.
25. Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Defence the future of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. [3110]
Mr. Banks:
Officials in my Department are working closely with officials in the Ministry of Defence, the Greenwich Foundation for the Royal Naval College, (the new trust), and Greenwich Hospital in working up proposals for the future of this historic site, following the Royal Navy's departure.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to introduce a national scheme for the grading of guest houses and hotels. [3163]
Mr. Tom Clarke:
The AA, RAC and ETB announced in February plans for a new harmonised scheme which for the first time would give a single rating for hotels according to both the quality of their service and the facilities they offer. They will be consulting the industry on the details of this and on a scheme covering non-hotel serviced accommodation, such as guest-houses, B&Bs, farmhouses and inns.
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Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to increase the provision of local broadcasting by (a) radio and (b) television. [4739]
Mr. Fisher:
The existing regulatory framework already allows for increased local provision.
The Radio Authority is required to secure a range and diversity of local services. Since its creation, the number of commercial local radio services has increased from 130 in 1991 to 177 in 1996. The Authority has also recently introduced small-scale alternative location licencees, and the number of short-term Restricted Service Licences continues to increase. These mechanisms provide a flexible structure within which more modest local operations can flourish.
The Independent Television Commission has recently published guidance on how it intends to implement the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996 which introduced a new category of licence for local services and special events--the Restricted Service Licence. Subject to spectrum availability, this new licence category will enable the ITC to oversee the expansion of local television services.
We aim to secure a wide diversity of broadcasting services, and local services are an important element of that diversity. The Government will monitor the effectiveness of the existing and recently enhanced licensing arrangements in providing more local services.
Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he will next meet the Director General of (a) the Radio Authority and (b) the Independent Television Commission to discuss the conditions of ownership of local radio stations. [4740]
Mr. Fisher:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the Chairmen and Chief Executives of the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission from time to time to discuss a variety of broadcasting issues. The conditions of ownership of radio stations are laid down in the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 and the use of powers under that legislation is solely a matter for the Radio Authority.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans the Government have for encouraging sport in schools. [3188]
Mr. Banks:
We are working to extend the opportunities for sport and physical recreation for all people by widening access and encouraging participation. Promoting physical education and sport in schools will be a key element of our strategy. A number of initiatives aimed at promoting sport in schools are already being taken forward by the English Sports Council, and we will shortly be meeting the Department for Education and Employment to consider further action.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the decision on the location of the National Academy for Sport is to be made. [3190]
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Mr. Banks:
I have visited the three short-listed sites and am now examining the bids in light of the visits. We will make an announcement of how we intend to proceed in due course.
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