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3 Dec 2002 : Column 783W—continued

National Football Centre

Mrs. Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will visit the National Football Centre development near Burton upon Trent to view the construction already in place. [84627]

Mr. Caborn: The Government appreciates that the present uncertainty about the completion of the National Football Centre has created some concern, both locally and among those with a general interest in the future success of the England team. However, this is entirely a matter for the Football Association. Neither I nor my right hon .Friend the Secretary of State have discussed the matter with the FA, and Ministers have no plans to visit the site. The Government's priority is the continued development of grass roots football, which my Department funds through the Football Foundation. The arrangements made for the coaching of elite players must remain the responsibility of football itself.

Public Bodies

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what recent assessment she has made of her Department's non-departmental public bodies' (a) outputs, (b) efficiency, (c) access, (d) quality, (e) income generation and (f) private sector funding; and if she will make a statement; [83750]

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Dr. Howells: During the course of the 2002 Spending Review, the Department has looked at the performance of its sponsored bodies and at the effectiveness of funding agreements as a means of performance management. The conclusions from our assessment are positive, but we have plans for further improvements: the introduction of more streamlined funding agreements that will focus on delivery of our four strategic priorities; and the earmarking of resources in the 2003–06 period, specifically to help non-departmental public bodies improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Sport Representations

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from and discussions she has had with (a) Sport England, (b) UK Sport, (c) Special Olympics Great Britain and (d) other organisations and individuals, regarding the allocation of funding for Special Olympics Great Britain from (i) Sport England and (ii) UK Sport. [84409]

Mr. Caborn: Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have received any such representations nor had any discussions with Sport England, UK Sport, Special Olympics Great Britain or other organisations and individuals regarding the allocation of specific funding for Special Olympics Great Britain from Sport England or UK Sport.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 4 November 2002, Official Report, columns 81–82W.

Sport Scotland

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money Sport Scotland has received since 2000. [84548]

Mr. Caborn: Sport in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

Street Advertisments

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what regulations protect

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hand—painted street advertising, what plans she has to improve the protection of hand-painted street advertising; and if she will make a statement. [82717]

Dr. Howells: there are no regulations specifically to protect hand-painted street advertising. It is possible that such advertising can be protected by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, which requires the Secretary of State to compile lists of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. An advertisement that has been painted on to a building would be protected if the building itself was listed.

At the launch of the State of the Historic Environment Report on 25 November, we announced plans—in partnership with English Heritage—to improve and refocus the way the UK's built environment receives statutory protection. These will include a review of the current designation system, with a view to changing it to one that sustains the historic environment as a whole rather than relating in a piecemeal way to its constituent parts. This review will take around a year to report.

Sub-titling

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions

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she has had with the producers of videos about the provision of sub-titles for the hard of hearing; and if she will make a statement. [84862]

Dr. Howells [holding answer 2 December 2002]: My officials have been in contact with a number of organisations, primarily the Film Council and British Video Association, the BBC, ITV and the ITC and, via the Broadcasters Disability Network, ITFC Ltd, a company which produces sub-titling for both broadcasters and DVD production houses. We have been looking at the current availability of equipment and videos, and emphasising the importance which we attach to access for the hard of hearing. DVDs normally include sub-titles.

Worcester Cathedral

Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what costs she estimates will be incurred by Worcester Cathedral under the proposals in the Licensing Bill. [84962]

Dr. Howells: I have made no estimates of the costs that will be specifically incurred by Worcester Cathedral under the proposals in the Licensing Bill. Any costs would depend on the licensable activities, if any, which are undertaken at the Cathedral and their frequency.