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Computers (Century Date Change)
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11894]
Mr. Tom Clarke: The cost of preventive and remedial action on year 2000 will be met from existing public expenditure survey provision. The Department is following the guidance published by CCTA. A detailed and costed action plan is being drawn up.
English Sports Council
Mrs. Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the appointment of ministerial nominees to the regions of the English Sports Council. [21319]
Mr. Banks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has previously announced that, as part of our new approach to sport, we are looking at the way that the current sports council structures are working. As part of that review, we have looked carefully at the regional structure of the English Sports Council, the proposed role of ministerial nominees to the council's regional offices, and the relationship between the council and local authorities and governing bodies of sport in the regions. While there is still work to be done on what new arrangements might be introduced, my right hon. Friend and I have decided to stand down all the ministerial nominees that have either been formally appointed or were nominees-designate to work alongside the English Sports Council.
This decision is no reflection on the ability of the individuals concerned to play a part in developing the Government's plans for sport. I will make a further announcement later this year about how we intend to rebuild the relationships between the English Sports Council and its partners in the regions, which were once so strong, and to help ensure that the role of local government and of local sport organisations in providing sports opportunities are given the credit they deserve.
Television Broadcasters
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will require public television broadcasters to ensure that all public information, party political and party election broadcasts are fully accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing people in the United Kingdom. [12001]
Mr. Fisher:
The Broadcasting Act 1990 set a target of 50 per cent. of transmissions for subtitling of programmes by 1998 for Channel 3 services and by the fifth anniversary of the commencement of the service for Channel 5. After that target is reached, it is for the Independent Television Commission to set the level of future targets. It is also a condition of the Channel 4 licence to ensure that 50 per cent. of its programmes are subtitled by 1998. I understand from the ITC that all Channel 3 licensees subtitle all their national news programmes and current affairs programmes and that Channel 4 subtitle their main news and current affairs programmes. Party political broadcasts are also subtitled.
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Under the terms of the Broadcasting Act 1996, digital terrestrial television services have to meet a target of subtitling 50 per cent. of programmes by the 10th anniversary of the digital programme service starting. The 1996 Act required the Independent Television Commission to draw up a code on promoting the understanding and enjoyment of programmes by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. As part of that code, the Independent Television Commission has also set interim targets for subtitling digital services.
In its statement of promises to viewers and listeners, the BBC is committed to subtitling 50 per cent of all its programmes by 1998. The statement also contains a commitment to subtitle all national daily news programmes, regional news and current affairs broadcasts.
The existing arrangements allow the ITC and the BBC flexibility to meet viewers' needs as fully as possible, constrained by statutory minimum subtitling levels and by what is technically and financially realistic. Within these arrangements, broadcasters place particular emphasis naturally on subtitling programmes which inform viewers of news and current affairs. The detailed arrangements for determining which programmes are subtitled, however, are not a matter for government.
Mr. Walter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will request Camelot to install national lottery terminals in villages in remote rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [11167]
Mr. Banks
[holding answer 29 July 1997]: This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have, therefore, asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Member, and copies of his response will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Our proposals for the future of the national lottery were set out in the White Paper "The People's Lottery" published on Monday 21 July. The White Paper makes clear our concern to protect the contribution which the lottery makes to small retailers throughout the country. The impact on retailers will, therefore, be taken into account when choosing the next operator of the national lottery.
Mr. Gray:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was raised for good causes by the national lottery between November 1994 and April 1997. [11162]
Mr. Banks
[holding answer 29 July 1997]: The national lottery raised £3,208,646,966 for the good causes between 19 November 1994 and 31 March 1997.
Mr. Tipping:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list those projects funded by the Millennium Commission in (a) Nottinghamshire and (b) the east midlands; [9128]
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Mr. Chris Smith
[holding answer 17 July 1997]: These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Peter Bradley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Millennium Commission funding has been allocated to projects in (a) The Wrekin, (b) Shropshire and (c) the west midlands. [7777]
Mr. Smith
[holding answer 10 July 1997]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission, I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Millennium Commission will continue in existence after 2000; if it will remain responsible for the millennium experience at Greenwich; and what responsibility it will retain for financial shortfalls in respect of the millennium experience. [6479]
Mr. Smith:
I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the budget set aside for the millennium celebrations; and what percentage of that budget will be designated for projects in each of (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland, (iv) England (excluding London), and (v) London. [6130]
Mr. Chris Smith
[holding answer 3 July 1997]: It is estimated that, by the end of 2000, over £2 billion of national lottery proceeds will have been disbursed by the Millennium Commission on capital projects to mark the millennium, on the millennium awards scheme, and on the national millennium experience and its regional programme. While it aims for an equitable regional distribution of grant, the Millennium Commission does not designate portions of its budget for projects in particular regions of the United Kingdom.
No central Government expenditure on millennium celebrations is planned, other than approximately £40,000 per annum to support the work of the millennium co-ordinating group and its sub-groups.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what fee he estimates Mark
31 Jul 1997 : Column: 516
McCormack International will receive from its consultancy for the millennium experience; and if he will make a statement. [6601]
Mr. Smith
[holding answer 7 July 1997]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what factors led him to adopt his present policy on the millennium dome; and if he will make a statement. [6902]
Mr. Smith
[holding answer 7 July 1997]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
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