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26 Jan 2004 : Column 43W—continued
Commercial Radio Stations
Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment she has made of the use of the Radio Joint Audience Research system of audience measurement to calculate the amount of levy on the qualifying revenues of national commercial radio stations; [149892]
- (2) if she will adopt a system of electronic audience measurement to calculate the amount of levy on the qualifying revenue of national commercial radio stations; [149893]
(3) what assessment she has made of the effect on revenue from the levy on qualifying revenues of national commercial radio stations of moving from the Radio Joint Audience Research system of audience measurement to a system of electronic audience measurement. [149895]
Estelle Morris: None. The calculation of qualifying revenue is a matter for Ofcom acting in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1990. Ofcom (formerly the Radio Authority) is required to draw up and from time to time review a statement setting out the principles to be followed in calculating qualifying revenue. Before doing so, Ofcom must consult the Secretary of State and the Treasury. This statement was last reviewed in November 1995. I understand there are currently no plans for further revisions.
Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ask Ofcom to conduct a study into the accuracy of the Radio Joint Audience Research system of audience measurement. [149894]
Estelle Morris: No. The accuracy of audience is a matter for the industry. I understand that RAJAR are conducting extensive research into the merits of electronic measurement devices.
Film Distribution
Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps her Department is taking to help independent film
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distributors to compete with (a) mainstream products and (b) products distributed from Hollywood studios; [149952]
- (2) what steps her Department is taking to broaden the audience base at cinemas; [149953]
(3) what steps her Department is taking to support the independent distribution sector in making available more prints of independent films; [149954]
(4) what steps her Department is taking to create incentives for exhibitors to show more independent films. [149955]
Estelle Morris: The UK Film Council, the Government's strategic agency for film, has recently announced a comprehensive Distribution and Exhibition Strategy costing £24 million over the next three years aimed at widening audiences for film and ensuring a broader and more diverse range of films is available.
£14 million of this funding will be allocated, in partnership with the Arts Council of England, to a Digital Screen Network which will enable the exhibition of a wider range of films, through the provision of equipment enabling the digital exhibition of films.
The strategy also includes a Specialised Print and Advertising (P&A) Fund, with £1 million per annum over the next three years, to assist distributors to widen the availability of films defined as "specialised". These are films characterised by an innovative cinematic style, or which engage with challenging subject matter, offering audiences a different experience of cinema from that provided by mainstream US studio-originated material. Support will be available under this fund to enable a distributor to increase the print run and media investment (P&A) for specialised films.
The £1 million UK Film Distribution Programme is another strand of the strategy which is aimed at assisting distributors to increase the theatrical release of indigenous UK films that are aimed at a wide, commercial market.
Heritage Lottery Funding
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Heritage Lottery funding has been awarded to Brent in each year since 1997. [150039]
Estelle Morris: Heritage Lottery Fund commitments made for the Brent Local Authority Area by financial year are as follows:
| Financial year | £ |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 9,900 |
| 1998–99 | Nil |
| 1999–2000 | Nil |
| 2000–2001 | 184,600 |
| 2001–2002 | 912,000 |
| 2002–2003 | 1,099,400 |
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Heritage Lottery
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funding has been awarded on average to London boroughs in each year since 1997. [150042]
Estelle Morris: The figures are in the table.
| Financial year | £ |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 3,038,537 |
| 1998–99 | 1,616,752 |
| 1999–2000 | 351,044 |
| 2000–01 | 1,302,294 |
| 2001–02 | 1,260,987 |
| 2002–03 | 1,561,673 |
The figures include funding for National Museums and Galleries.
Imperial War Museum North
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to visit the Imperial War Museum North seminar on Nuclear Weapons Past and Future to be held on 11 February. [149969]
Estelle Morris: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has not received an invitation to this seminar.
National Lottery
Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value is of Lottery revenue used to support Government-sponsored projects within her Department since 1997. [149625]
Estelle Morris: One of the central strengths of the Lottery is its ability to harness other sources of funding, from the private, public and the not-for-profit sectors.
143,000 Lottery awards have been made since 1997. The cost of identifying which related to Government-sponsored projects would be disproportionate.
Michele Verroken
Mr. Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to re-appoint Michele Verroken to a position dealing with the campaigns against the misuse of drugs in sport in the United Kingdom. [150640]
Mr. Caborn: Michelle Verroken's contract of employment with UK Sport has not at this stage been terminated. It would therefore, be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.
Ministerial Visits
Miss Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what ministerial visits she has planned for the next six months. [145602]
Tessa Jowell: Over the next six months I have to date the following ministerial visits planned:
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Queen (Diamond Jubilee)
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what preparations the Government is making to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012; [149927]
- (2) if she will make a statement on plans for celebrating Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee. [150393]
Mr. Caborn: It is too early to consider the celebrations that will mark Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. At an appropriate time the Government will begin discussions with the Palace as to the nature of these celebrations and the necessary preparations will be made.
Royal Family
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the extent to which the royal family features in material to promote tourism in Britain. [150187]
Mr. Caborn: Britain's royal heritage plays an important role in VisitBritain's work to promote Britain overseas as a tourism destination. Many of the publications and campaign materials produced by VisitBritain feature occupied Royal Palaces as well as historic buildings and castles with links to the monarchy. To celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2002, VisitBritain published a map of 'Britain's Royal Heritage' featuring a foreword by HRH the Prince of Wales. In addition members of the royal family have supported the tourism industry through visits to VisitBritain's overseas offices and other promotional events such as Royal Tourism Day in June last year
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