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23 Jun 2005 : Column 1142W—continued
Digital Satellite Broadcasting
Tom Levitt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ensure that those areas of the
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country which are unable to receive digital terrestrial television for technical reasons have access to a free digital satellite service equivalent to Freeview at a comparable set-up cost. [6034]
James Purnell: All the BBCs television services are broadcast without encryption and can be accessed by viewers using digital satellite receivers and dishes available from retailers. In addition, a free-to view satellite service offering all public service broadcasting channels was launched by BSkyB in 2004.
The Government believe there are considerable benefits for consumers in broadcasters continuing to promote the development of free to view satellite provision. This will help to drive digital take up in areas poorly served by digital terrestrial in the run up to digital switchover.
Electronic Programming Guides
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department expects the publication of Ofcom's Review of Electronic Programming Guides; and if she will make a statement. [5759]
James Purnell: The matter is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Listed Buildings
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department expects to publish its consultation on revised criteria for listing buildings; and if she will make a statement. [6484]
Mr. Lammy: As part of the wider reform of the heritage protection system, we expect to publish the consultation on the revised criteria for listing buildings in summer 2005.
National Sports Foundation
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the outcome was of the recent meeting between the four sport consortiums and her Department to discuss the National Sports Foundation. [5242]
Mr. Caborn [holding answer 20 June 2005]: Discussions with the National Governing Bodies for Sport about the National Sports Foundation are at an early stage and no decisions have been made. Further details will be announced in due course.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her Answers of 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 53W, on the National Sports Foundation, when the Government expects to announce the (a) location, (b) budget, (c) staffing requirements, (d) structure and (e) grant criteria for the National Sports Foundation. [5370]
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Mr. Caborn [holding answer 20 June 2005]: Discussions about the National Sports Foundation are at an early stage and no decisions have been made. Further details will be announced in due course.
Sports
Mr. Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what initiatives are (a) in place and (b) planned to meet the Department's public service agreement target to increase participation within priority groups, including women, by three per cent. by 2008. [6297]
Mr. Caborn: DCMS is working with Sport England on a range of key interventions to increase participation within priority groups, including women and we are in the process of agreeing a delivery plan with Sport England for the PSA target,
(a) Key initiatives in place include:
In the five years to 2008, Government investment in the PE, School Sport and Club Links strategy will top £1.5 billion, which also includes Lottery Fund assistance.
By 2006, Government and the National Lottery will have committed over £1 billion to develop new or refurbished sports facilities. We aim to develop a comprehensive facilities strategy mapping out supply, demand and priorities for investment.
(b) Planned initiatives include:
The creation of a National Sports Foundation, bringing together Government and the national governing bodies for sport, will be an investment fund for grassroots sport, with a £27 million initial investment as announced by the Chancellor in March.
The creation of "Sport Direct", a new information service which will establish a single portal for sport so that people can find out what is on offer in their local area.
In addition, Sport Action Zones (SAZs) were established in January 2000 as part of the Sport England Lottery Strategy to tackle sporting deprivation impacting on our target groups, in some of the most socially and environmentally deprived areas in the country.
The DCMS Participation Survey, starting in July 2005, will provide statistically robust data to monitor performance of our PSA targets.
Ulster Scots (Television Programmes)
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provision there is in the BBC Charter for Ulster Scots programmes in Northern Ireland. [5509]
James Purnell:
There is no specific requirement under the BBC's Charter for the provision of Ulster Scots programmes in Northern Ireland. However, the BBC does provide a range of content in Ulster Scots and the Government's March Green Paper on the BBC made clear that its role should include provision in indigenous minority languages across a range of platforms.
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DEFENCE
Aircraft Carriers
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which aircraft he expects to fly from the new aircraft carrier in 2012. [3821]
Mr. Ingram: The future aircraft carrier has been designed with the flexibility to operate a variety of aircraft, both fixed-wing and rotary. The planned composition of the first carrier's air group continues to be defined, but we anticipate that the Joint Combat Aircraft, which we expect to start taking delivery of in 2011, will be conducting flight trials from the new carrier when it enters service, as part of our progressive approach to providing the future carrier strike capability.
Departmental Equipment
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the value of his Department's equipment (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the last five years, broken down by service. [5057]
Mr. Touhig: The value of losses to the Ministry of Defence in each of the last five years are listed in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
The figures representing the MOD's equipment stolen in each of the last five years are not available in the requested format. However, the totals for each period are as follows:
| Financial year | Value (£) |
|---|---|
| 2004–05 | 677,000.00 |
| 2003–04 | 1,220,000.00 |
| 2002–03 | 326,000.00 |
| 2001–02 | 85,000.00 |
| 2000–01 | 221,000.00 |
Gibraltar
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships have visited (a) Gibraltar and (b) Spain since 1 April. [6387]
Mr. Ingram: The following tables show which Royal Navy and (for completeness) Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships have visited Gibraltar and Spain since 1 April 2005 to date (22 June 2005).
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