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Public Relations Consultants
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by (a) her Department and (b) bodies for which it is responsible on external public relations consultants in each of the last four years. [27398]
Dr. Howells: The Department has only let one contract with external public relations consultants during the period in question. In order to preserve commercial confidentiality I am unable to provide details of the cost. Information relating to the bodies for which my Department is responsible is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what expert advice the Heritage Lottery Fund seeks when making policy changes. [27752]
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Dr. Howells: The Heritage Lottery Fund's standard practice is to consult with a range of organisations and individuals, including statutory agencies and practitioners, in advance of policy developments. For example, in reaching a new policy statement on skills and training for the heritage sector, to be published later this month, the Heritage Lottery Fund commissioned a MORI survey, and discussed findings with heritage organisations and employers to inform policy making. The fund's new strategic plan is being considered against the background of extensive consultation undertaken during summer 2001. The consultation process was UK wide, and included heritage practitioners and representatives of non-heritage organisations, members of the public and community leaders. The Heritage Lottery Fund received some 315 responses to its consultation document, and took the views of nearly 600 people who attended workshops, seminars and focus groups into account. The Heritage Lottery Fund follows the Cabinet Office's Code of Practice on written consultation.
Ministerial Transport
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the cost of (a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for her Department in each of the last four years. [27913]
Dr. Howells: The question concerning ministerial cars will be dealt with centrally, by the Cabinet Office. The information requested concerning all types of taxis used by the Department is shown in the table.
| 2001–02(18) | 2000–01(19) | 1999–2000(19) | 1998–99(19) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other ministerial car services (non-Government car service) | 8,649 | 5,726 | 3,203 | 4,230 |
| Taxis | 18,468 | 28,669 | 21,917 | 15,367 |
(18) To date
(19) Outturn
National Lottery
Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much unclaimed money is held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund which is not committed to projects. [28066]
Mr. Caborn: At the end of September 2001 (the latest figures available), approximately £264 million of the total amount available for distribution was uncommitted to projects.
Horse Racing Industry
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will introduce a betting levy for the financial year 2002–03 to help support the horse racing industry. [28309]
Mr. Caborn: The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, as amended, provides that if the Horserace Betting Levy Board does not approve, by 31 October each year, a scheme for the following financial year under which bookmakers pay a levy on betting on horse racing, the Secretary of State has a duty to determine a scheme. Such a duty has now arisen, and consideration is being given
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to a scheme in accordance with the requirements of the Act. An announcement will be made as soon as practicable.
Digital Television
Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of United Kingdom homes have digital television services; when she expects (a) 50 per cent., (b) 70 per cent. and (c) 90 per cent. of homes to have digital television services; what recent discussions she has had with the retail sector about the promotion of digital television; and if she will make a statement. [28381]
Dr. Howells: I understand that over one third of UK homes are now accessing digital television services. I am not in a position to predict when digital television take up will reach specific levels. A Digital Television Action Plan was issued on 20 December 2001, following consultation on a Draft Plan with stakeholders from all sectors of the broadcasting industry, including the retail sector, and with representatives of consumers. The Action Plan sets out a series of actions to be taken by Government and industry, in partnership, to achieve the aim for the UK to have the most dynamic and competitive market for digital TV in the G7, as measured by take up, choice and cost, and to meet the criteria announced in September 1999 which must be met before analogue terrestrial transmissions could be switched off.
UK Sports Institute (Regional Centres)
Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress she has made in the development of facilities at the regional centres of excellence for the UK Sports Institute. [28605]
Mr. Caborn: The Government remain committed to the development of the United Kingdom Sports Institute (UKSI) and good progress is being made in its establishment. Centres in Scotland and Wales are now operational; the English Institute is developing apace and it is hoped that work on the Northern Ireland Institute will begin soon.
Encouraging progress is being made with the development of the English Institute of Sport (EIS) facilities. To date 17 facilities are now open, with a further 10 on-site and under construction, over £100 million of lottery investment is now secured by funding agreements and large sites in Bath and Sheffield are secured and going on-site in early 2002. The majority of EIS facilities should be fully operational by the end of 2002.
Supporters Direct
Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much she is making available to Supporters Direct in 2001–02; how much she will be giving in 2002–03; how many supporters trusts have been established by Supporters Direct; and what plans she has to fund Supporters Direct after 2003. [28604]
Mr. Caborn: Supporters Direct has assisted in the formation of 43 supporters trusts to date, which puts it well ahead of the targets included in its original Business Plan. Under its three-year funding agreement, Supporters Direct received £250,000 from the Reduction in Pool Betting Duty for 2000–01, and will receive the same
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amount in 2001–02 and 2002–03. My Department and Supporters Direct are currently discussing the funding arrangements which will follow the end of the current agreement.
Environmental Appraisals
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what procedures her Department has to ensure environmental appraisals are undertaken prior to (a) administrative and (b) policy decisions being made. [29055]
Dr. Howells: Environmental considerations are fully established as part of administrative decisions about the procurement of any goods for my Department, and are set out in the Department's procurement manual. My Department has also established an on-going Environmental Management System with the assistance of environmental consultants WSP, who scrutinised the environmental impact of the Department's procurement practices, use of energy and disposal of waste. The policy makers checklist, which includes reference to environmental and sustainable development considerations, is held on the Department's intranet to inform policy decisions.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many officials from her Department have attended the Environmental Appraisal and Integration into Policy training course run by the Civil Service College. [29057]
Dr. Howells: None of my officials have attended the Environmental Appraisal and Integration into Policy training course run by the Civil Service College.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has to appraise the environmental implications of its Spending Review submission to the Treasury. [29056]
Dr. Howells: Officials in my Department are aware that they have to produce a sustainable development report due at the end of February, as part of SR 2002.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the last occasion was on which she requested an environmental appraisal before making a policy decision. [29054]
Dr. Howells: Policy makers in my Department are aware of the policy makers checklist which includes the recommendation to consider any environmental implications; however my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts has not had occasion to request a formal environmental appraisal since her appointment.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many environmental appraisals have been published by her Department since 1 January 2001; and if she will list the last four. [29053]
Dr. Howells: No environmental appraisals have been published by my Department since 1 January 2001.
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