House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 8 Mar 2005 (pt 37)

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Nightclubs

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans she has to review the procedures for the licensing of nightclubs; [220499]

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(2) if she will bring forward proposals to require local authorities to publicise more widely applications for licensing of nightclubs. [220558]

Mr. Caborn: There is no legal definition of nightclub". The procedures for the licensing of all premises selling alcohol or providing regulated entertainment or late night refreshment were reviewed during the White Paper consultation on licensing and the subject of detailed scrutiny during the Licensing Bill's passage through Parliament. The Licensing Act 2003 and Guidance to Licensing Authorities explain the new procedures and can be read on the Department's website (www.culture.gov.uk ). The requirements for advertising applications for the grant or variation or review of premises licences are contained in regulations that are also available on our website. These include the need to display for 28 consecutive days, a legible notice prominently at or on the premises to which the application relates where it can be conveniently read from the exterior of the premises and, in the case of a premises covering an area of more than 50 sq m, a further notice in the same form and subject to the same requirements every 50 m along the external perimeter of the premises abutting any highway; and also to publish a notice in a local newspaper or, if there is none, a local newsletter or similar document at least once during the 10 working days after the application is given to the licensing authority. We do not think that there is a case for further extending the publicising of applications for licences for nightclubs.

Public Service Agreements

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to enhance the take-up of sporting opportunities by five to 16-year-olds so that the percentage of school children in England who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality physical education and school sport within and beyond the curriculum increases to 85 per cent. by 2008 will be met; [219959]

(2) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to enhance the take-up of sporting opportunities by five to 16 year olds so that the percentage of school children in England who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality physical education and school sport within and beyond the curriculum increases to at least 75 per cent. in each School Sport Partnership by 2008 will be met; [219961]

(3) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to increase the number of adults and young people from priority groups visiting designated historic environment sites by three per cent. by 2008 will be met; [219963]

(4) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to increase the number of adults and young people from priority groups accessing museum and galleries by two per cent. by 2008 will be met; [219964]

(5) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to increase the number of adults and young people from priority groups who attend an arts event at least twice a year by three per cent. by 2008 will be met; [219965]

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(6) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to increase the number of adults and young people from priority groups who participate in an arts activity at least twice a year by two per cent. by 2008 will be met; [219966]

(7) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to increase the number of adults and young people from priority groups who engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity level of sport at least three times a week by three per cent. by 2008 will be met; [219967]

(8) what recent assessment she has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to increase the number of adults and young people from priority groups who participate in active sports at least 12 times a year by three per cent. by 2008 will be met; [219968]

(9) what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to increase the productivity of the tourism, creative and leisure industries by 2008; [219974]

(10) what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to increase participation in culture and sport. [219977]

Mr. Caborn: Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets will replace the Department's existing PSA targets and will run from April 2005–08. Delivery plans are under development for each of the PSA targets and the projects that will support the delivery of the targets.

(2) what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to increase the take-up of cultural and sporting opportunities by adults and young people from priority groups; [219969]

(3) what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to improve significantly the value for money of her Department's sponsored bodies; [219973]

(4) what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to increase significantly the take-up of cultural and sporting opportunities by new users aged 20 and above from priority groups. [219976]

Mr. Caborn: Information on the Department's performance against its Public Service Agreement targets 2002 was published on 22 December 2004 in the DCMS Autumn Performance Report (Cm 6435). Copies of the report are available in the House Library.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to modernise delivery to the customer by ensuring that her Department and its sponsored bodies improve performance and pursue institutional excellence. [219972]

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Mr. Caborn: The Department does not have a Public Service Agreement to modernise delivery to the customer by ensuring that her Department and its sponsored bodies improve performance and pursue institutional excellence." We do however have a PSA target to improve significantly the value for money of the Department's sponsored bodies, measured by a matrix of NDPB indicators".

Information on the Department's performance against this Public Service Agreement target was published on 22 December 2004 in the DCMS Autumn Performance Report (Cm 6435). Copies of the report are available in the House Library.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to develop appropriate regulatory frameworks that protect consumers' interests and improve productivity. [219975]

Mr. Caborn: The Department does not have a Public Service Agreement 'to develop appropriate regulatory frameworks that protect consumers' interests and improve productivity'. We do however have a PSA target 'to improve the productivity of the tourism, creative and leisure industries'.

Southend-on-Sea (Cultural Heritage)

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with English Heritage regarding the cultural and architectural heritage of Southend-on-Sea; and if she will make a statement. [220163]

Mr. Caborn: There have been no discussions between the Department and English Heritage regarding the cultural and architectural heritage of Southend-on-Sea.

Ticket Sales

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the merits of introducing legislation to control or limit the sale of tickets for (a) music concerts, (b) music festivals, (c) other sporting events and (d) the theatre by (i) street based and (ii) online ticket touts. [220314]

Estelle Morris: None in respect of (a) , (b) or (d) . The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 already prohibits ticket touting at football matches as these raise special public order issues. My right hon. Friend is currently considering what steps she would need to take in respect of ticket touting to meet the requirements of the International Olympics Committee, should we win our bid to host the Olympics in London.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from the music industry on proposals to

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introduce legislation to control the sale of tickets for music concerts or festivals (a) by street based ticket touts and (b) on online auction website. [220315]

Estelle Morris: None.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice her Department gives to people considering buying tickets for music events from individuals offering such tickets on online auction websites. [220316]

Estelle Morris: We have not been asked to give advice on this issue. Individuals need to decide whether or not in their view the cost is reasonable and represents value for money.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will meet representatives of the music industry to discuss the operation of the law as it affects the sale of tickets for music events (a) by ticket touts and (b) on online auction websites. [220317]

Estelle Morris: I understand that following concerns raised by the promoters of the T in the Park Festival, a broader discussion of music industry stakeholders is planned to agree a common position on ticket re-sales by touts. I will of course be happy to consider holding a meeting with representatives of the industry once this has been agreed.

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