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Mr. Roger Levitt
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will make a statement on the application to extradite Mr. Roger Levitt from the United States of America; [14741]
- (2) if she will make a statement on the advice given by her Department to the New York judge considering the application to extradite Mr. Roger Levitt; and if she will make a statement [14742]
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: Mr. Roger Levitt is charged with an offence of making a false statement contrary to Section 451 of the Companies Act 1985. Acting on advice from independent counsel my Department submitted an extradition request to the United States of America in June 1997 through the Home Office.
It was for the District Attorney in New York to make representations to the New York judge considering the application. In doing so he made reference to advice from my Department about the facts of the case, about submissions made on Mr. Levitt's behalf to that judge and about the likely position in relation to bail in the UK in the event of Mr. Levitt's return.
The Divisional Court granted leave on 31 October from Mr. Levitt to apply for Judicial Review of the decision to request Mr. Levitt's extradition, and the request for such extradition.
In the light of arguments presented on behalf of Mr. Levitt my Department has reviewed the decision to request Mr. Levitt's extradition and has concluded that the extradition request should not be maintained. Accordingly it will be withdrawn. Warrants remain open in the UK for Mr. Levitt's arrest in connection both with the Section 451 offence and on a charge of breaching a company director disqualification order.
10 Nov 1997 : Column: 404
12. Ms Jenny Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many broadcasting licences have been granted by the Radio Authority to radio stations in the west midlands since September 1996; and how many of these were granted to community radio stations.[13438]
Mr. Fisher:
Since September 1996 the Radio Authority has granted one independent local radio licence in the West Midlands. The winning application, from 107.7 the Wolf, proposes a programme format dedicated to the specific needs of the community.
13. Mr. Truswell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will review the accessibility of lottery funding to bids for children's play initiatives; and if he will make a statement. [13439]
Mr. Chris Smith:
In the White Paper, "The People's Lottery", I made it clear that we are particularly committed to the development of children's play. I am currently discussing with the Lottery distributors how we can best ensure that Lottery funding for it is more easily accessible.
15. Mr. Gunnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria will be applied to consideration of lottery bids which include an estimate of revenue funding to ensure that successful existing institutions remain viable. [13442]
Mr. Chris Smith:
It is for distributors to determine the detailed criteria for awards. For capital schemes, they may provide a revenue grant or an endowment to cover the costs of a project or to ensure its completion. We are looking at this area as part of the review of distribution announced in the White Paper, "The People's Lottery".
17. Dr. Starkey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for allocating national lottery money to health-related projects. [13444]
19. Dr. Iddon:
To ask the Secretary of Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for allocating lottery money to health-related projects. [13446]
25. Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for allocating national lottery money to health-related projects. [13452]
Mr. Chris Smith:
In the White Paper, "The People's Lottery", I announced the creation of a new good cause encompassing health, education and the environment. We want to enable people to improve their health and well-being, especially in the most deprived areas of the country. We therefore aim to establish a core network of healthy living centres, supported by the lottery, by 2001.
23. Mr. Simon Hughes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he takes to ensure a reasonable balance of lottery grants for national, regional and local projects; and if he will make a statement. [13450]
10 Nov 1997 : Column: 405
Mr. Chris Smith:
In the White Paper, "The People's Lottery", I announced our intention to ensure that Lottery money is spent according to a strategy drawn up in the light of need across all regions and parts of the country and between different groups in society. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already announced a pilot scheme where some distributors will work together on small community grants in Scotland. We hope to see this kind of approach extended where appropriate as soon as possible.
14. Gillian Merron:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to meet the Chair and Director of the Eastern Arts Board to discuss the development of the arts in their region. [13440]
Mr. Fisher:
I met the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Eastern Arts Board during my visit to Cambridge on 7 October. I was delighted to learn of the high quality of artistic activity in the region and was impressed with the commitment of Eastern Arts Board to the arts in the area.
16. Mr. Burgon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the importance he attaches to the role of museums in preserving the country's industrial heritage. [13443]
Mr. Fisher:
The industrial heritage is of immense importance to our understanding both of the past and the present. Museums have a crucial role to play in its preservation and interpretation.
18. Mr. Godsiff:
To ask the Secretary of State of Culture, Media and Sport if he has raised with the European Commission the issue of UEFA debarring the winner of the Coca-Cola cup from participating in the UEFA Cup. [13445]
Mr. Banks:
This is a matter for the Football Authorities and I understand the Football League is pursuing it with the European Commission. I share some of the concerns expressed and will be following developments with interest.
20. Mr. Dennis Turner:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he is making in increasing the figures of British cinema audiences watching British films. [13447]
Mr. Tom Clarke:
British films are enjoying a very successful year and we hope to build on that success. We have established an all-industry working group, headed by myself, and Mr. Stewart Till, Head of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, with the aim of doubling the domestic market share for British films. I expect the working group to report in February 1998.
10 Nov 1997 : Column: 406
21. Mr. O'Hara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what role he plans for the Arts Council of England in developing audiences for jazz. [13448]
Mr. Fisher:
Jazz is an art form without boundaries and with very many ardent supporters, including myself. The Arts Council of England published a jazz policy document last November. All the Council's funding for jazz is designed to develop and build new audiences; the Government agree that the development of audiences in all art forms is a high priority.
22. Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been allocated to date by the Millennium Commission to projects to mark the millennium. [13449]
Mr. Chris Smith:
Since its first grant announcement two years ago, the Millennium Commission has awarded a total of £1.015 billion to 114 projects on 2,720 sites, £19 million to 13 Award partners benefiting 8,000 individuals and £449 million to the New Millennium Experience at Greenwich.
24. Mr. Steen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his policy toward promoting provincial touring light operetta. [13451]
Mr. Fisher:
My Department attaches a high priority to encouraging the widest possible range of touring artistic activity. The Arts Council of England is responsible for devising specific touring policies across artforms and by particular organisations. National companies, regional organisations and a range of specific bodies tour productions of light operetta around the country.
26. Mr. Ben Chapman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to make the arts more accessible to a wider range of people. [13453]
Mr. Chris Smith:
Access is at the heart of my policies. I believe strongly that the public has a right to better access in return for the public funding which goes into the arts. I 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. I will be announcing the results of our review of access to national museums and galleries within the next few weeks.
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