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18 Apr 2002 : Column 1037W

Written Answers to Questions

Thursday 18 April 2002

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Private Finance Initiative

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what estimate she has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the provision of a catering service for the British Library by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49670]

Mr. Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (David Laws), of 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 741, and also to my letter to him of 18 November 2001, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Parliamentary Questions

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the cost was to her Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated; [49106]

Mr. Caborn: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council yesterday Official Report, column 929W.

"Pride of Place"

Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of the publication of the Arts Council's publication "Pride of Place" was. [48875]

Dr. Howells: "Pride of Place" cost the Arts Council £78,000. I understand that this figure includes authors' fees, photography, production of the accompanying CD, design and print. The Arts Council have produced 7500 copies of the report in partnership with the media company August at a cover price of £12. Complimentary copies have been offered to all the projects who received an award under the first capital programme.

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Statutory Instruments

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 8 March 2002, Official Report, columns 574–76W, on statutory instruments, what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of each of the statutory instruments listed. [50325]

Mr. Caborn: Of the statutory instruments listed, a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was published for the Regulatory Reform (Special Occasions Licensing) Order 2001. Copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 28 June 2001. The text can also be viewed on the following website at: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/ regulation/act/made2.htm#Special as Annex C to the Explanatory Document.

RIAs were not required for the other statutory instruments and an assessment of the cost effectiveness of each could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

National Lottery Distribution

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average amount of Lottery money awarded to constituencies was in the last 12 months. [50592]

Mr. Caborn: According to the National Lottery database, which is based upon the data provided to us by the Lottery distributers, the average amount awarded to UK constituencies is currently around £15.2 million. This includes large-scale projects of national and international significance. The median level awarded to constituencies is £7.1 million to date.

Smart Card Technology

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the use of smart card technology in her Department and the areas which it is used in; and what discussions she has had with private companies about the use of smart card technology within her Department. [50476]

Dr. Howells [holding answer 16 April 2002]: My Department does not currently make any use of smart card technology.

Smart cards are used in a number of the areas for which my Department has responsibility as membership cards and payment cards among other things. My Department has also been involved in the establishment of the Connexions Card, a DfES initiative, which provides a range of services for 16 to 19-year-olds in England.

Any plans which my Department may develop in the future will obviously take account of the smart card framework developed by the Office of the e-Envoy.

I have not had any discussions with private companies about the use of smart card technology within my Department.

ITV Digital

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on

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the discussions she has had with football authorities on the impact on Nationwide League football clubs of ITV Digital's entry into administration. [50675]

Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the football authorities on the financial impact on Nationwide Football League clubs of ITV Digital's entry into administration. [50846R]

Mr. Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have stayed in close touch with both the Nationwide League and ITV Digital throughout the negotiations. We met the League's chairman, Keith Harris, and chief executive, David Burns, yesterday evening (17 April).

PPS 17

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what involvement her Department and Sport England have had in the redrafting of PPS17. [50979]

Mr. Caborn: Both Sport England and my Department have been extensively involved in the redrafting of Planning Policy Statement 17 (PPS 17). PPS 17 is one of the key mechanisms by which my Department and sports organisations are able to influence planning for sport and recreation, including the introduction of further measures to protect playing fields. The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions will issue the guidance.

Sports Facilities

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to include private sector and schools facilities in the forthcoming national audit of sports facilities in the UK. [50980]

Mr. Caborn: Information on sports facilities in England is currently held by a variety of organisations and a single database will enable more strategic Government investment in those areas and facilities which are most important. My Department is continuing discussions with Sport England on the scope, content and cost of the proposed database and how the project will be taken forward.

Football

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment she has made of the economic contribution of Football League football clubs to the (a) local and (b) English economy; [50667]

Mr. Caborn: The 72 Nationwide Football League clubs play significant roles in local economies, both directly by providing employment and indirectly by providing opportunities for local businesses. Collectively, the Nationwide League also adds significantly to football's contribution to the national economy. These

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wider economic benefits cannot be quantified, but should be considered alongside football's substantial non- financial contribution to society.

The Nationwide League is discussing the future of its broadcasting contract with the Administrators of ITV Digital. While these negotiations continue, it is not possible accurately to forecast the possible financial effects on the League's clubs.

National Stadium

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) whether she will have received, analysed and based a decision on the advice identified as being necessary to address the four issues to which she referred in her statement of 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 292, by 30 April; [51082]

Tessa Jowell: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. Turner), on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 309W.

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