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Art Exports
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he plans to review the rules governing the export of works of art. [95127]
Mr. Alan Howarth: We have no plans to review the export system.
School Sport
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the DfEE about the state of sport and physical education participation in schools, with particular reference to Ofsted inspections. [95209]
Kate Hoey:
DCMS Ministers meet and have regular contact with their colleagues at DfEE to discuss a range of education issues, including PE and sport in schools.
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This topic is of particular importance at present, as we prepare our sports strategy paper. I recently met Chris Woodhead of Ofsted to discuss school inspections.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on progress towards completion of the major capital projects funded by the Millennium Commission. [95119]
Janet Anderson:
This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will reply to the hon. Member in his capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of his reply in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Spring:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he has taken to ensure that Government regional offices involve (a) sport, (b) the Arts and (c) tourism in their plans for regeneration. [95197]
Janet Anderson:
Our strategy document "Tomorrow's Tourism" and the Policy Action Team's report to the Social Exclusion Unit, "Arts & Sport", clearly illustrate how fundamental tourism, the arts and sport are to a successful regeneration programme.
Recently, my Department established a senior official in each of the Government Offices in the regions. They will champion the role, effectiveness and importance of these sectors for each region's regeneration strategy in one course of discussion on their Single Programme Documents, the framework by which EU Structural Funds are delivered, and the next Round (6) of the Single Regeneration Budget.
Mr. Spring:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of how much EU Agenda 2000 funding has been spent on (a) the arts and (b) sport (i) in cash terms and (ii) as a total of the Agenda 2000 money spent in England. [95196]
Janet Anderson:
The European Commission has yet to approve the Single Programme Documents, the framework by which EU Structural Funds are delivered, for each of the country's nine regions. Consequently, it is too early to estimate a breakdown of EU Agenda 2000 funding on the arts. In terms of EU Structural Funds, sport is an ineligible activity.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the timetable for the switch-off of analogue radio frequencies. [95125]
Janet Anderson:
Digital radio broadcasting is at an early stage of development in the UK. It is premature to set a timetable for the switch-over of analogue services to digital at this time. However, I look forward to the launch of the first national commercial digital radio services in November and to the future growth of commercial and BBC digital radio services.
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Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his future plans for the Radio Authority. [95152]
Janet Anderson:
We intend to set up a new dedicated unit in my Department to consider the future regulation of broadcasting, building on the interim measures set out in "Regulating Communications: the Way Ahead", which was published by my Department and the DTI in June.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list all applications for local radio licences which are currently under consideration by the Radio Authority, stating when each was lodged. [95151]
Janet Anderson:
Independent radio licences are currently under consideration by the Radio Authority as follows:
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the difference in cost between the stone in the specification originally detailed for the restoration of the south portico of the British Museum and that finally purchased; and if he will make a statement. [94446]
Mr. Alan Howarth
[holding answer 19 October 1999]: I am advised by the British Museum that the stone is an oolitic limestone and therefore meets the original contract specification. I am also advised that the price of stone varies according to its size and the quantity needed, and that the price differential between Anstrude and Portland Stone is in the range of 10 to 20 per cent.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons it was necessary to purchase an alternative to the Portland stone specified for the restoration of the south portico of the British Museum; and if he will make a statement. [94614]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
I am advised by the British Museum that in line with European procurement regulations, the contract called for an oolitic limestone (Portland Stone from the basebed or similar). The rebuilding of the south portico is an exceptional example of architectural reconstruction, demanding some 60 massive blocks for the columns and pilasters. The contractor advised the Museum that stone of the required
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quality and size could not be procured in sufficient quantity from Portland. Another oolitic limestone, Anstrude Roche Claire, was therefore selected.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment was made of the visual properties and resistance to weathering and atmospheric pollution of alternative stone to Portland stone; prior to varying the specifications of the restoration of the south portico of the British Museum; and if he will make a statement. [94444]
Mr. Alan Howarth
[holding answer 19 October 1999]:I am advised by the British Museum that there has been no variation to the specification, and the stone is fully compliant with the contract. The visual properties of the stone were assessed and approved by the Museum, its professional team and project monitors. The technical characteristics have been assessed by an independent body, and the Museum commissioned its own report. The courtyard will be under a new roof, so none of the new stone, neither the 900 tonnes of Portland Stone that is being used on the project, nor the Anstrude Roche Claire, will be subject to the same weathering as the original.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the stone used in the restoration of the south portico of the British Museum has the same visual properties and resistance to weathering and atmospheric pollution as Portland stone; and if he will make a statement. [94443]
Mr. Alan Howarth
[holding answer 19 October 1999]: I am advised by the British Museum that there are minor differences in the visual properties and resistance to weathering and atmospheric pollution of the French Limestone. However, English Heritage has accepted that the stone is adequate. The stone will be in a covered courtyard, and therefore protected against the weathering effects of wind, rain and atmospheric pollution.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he was informed of the need to use alternative stone to that in the specification in the restoration of the south portico of the British Museum; and if he will make a statement. [94442]
Mr. Alan Howarth
[holding answer 19 October 1999]: The stonework in question is being carried out on the South Portico of the Museum's inner courtyard. This portico was demolished in the 1870s and is being completely rebuilt. I am advised by the British Museum that the specification was for "oolitic limestone" (Portland Stone from the basebed or similar). The stone that is being used for the main body of the portico is Anstrude Roche Claire. This is an oolitic limestone of the Jurassic period, as is Portland Stone. It therefore complies fully with the specification and is not an alternative. The Museum has been working closely with the Heritage bodies throughout and notified them about the selection of Anstrude Roche Claire in June. English Heritage has accepted that the Anstrude Roche Claire is adequate. We inquired about the choice of stone in August.
Ten applications for new analogue licences:
three for Bridgend (received 22 June);
three for Newbury (received 27 July);
two for Burnley (received 7 September);
two for Hertford (received 5 October).
Seven applications for re-advertised licences:
two for Guernsey (received 12 October);
two for Jersey (received 12 October);
two for Alton/Haslemere (received 19 October);
one for Barnstaple under the 'special application' procedure (received 27 July).
Two applications for local digital radio multiplex licences:
one for Cardiff/Newport (received 14 September);
one for Wolverhampton (received 12 October).
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