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18 Jul 2005 : Column 1363W—continued
Digital Reception (Rural Areas)
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to increase the availability of digital radio and television services in rural areas. [12518]
James Purnell: Digital terrestrial coverage at switchover will match existing analogue coverage—around 98.5 per cent. of households.
While the vast majority of households not currently covered by analogue services can already receive digital television via satellite, cable or DSL, there are still a few areas in which reception is very poor. Therefore, we are considering with Ofcom how to extend further the reach of digital television.
Currently BBC and commercial DAB radio broadcast to around 85 per cent. of the UK population. Ofcom are considering proposals for the allocation of three further local multiplexes that will provide coverage to almost all of the UK, as well as a digital platform for the remaining BBC regional and local services. The BBC have also committed to ensuring their national DAB networks will cover at least 90 per cent. of the population over the period of the next charter. Digital radio services are also available on all of the digital television platforms.
English Heritage
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the recommendations made to her by English Heritage for listing in the last three years she has (a) accepted and (b) rejected. [11965]
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Mr. Lammy: A central record is not kept of the number of recommendations for listing that are rejected. In the last three years, English Heritage have made 1,820 recommendations to list buildings. It is possible that some of the buildings recommended for listing during this period are still being considered.
During the same period, 1,281 buildings have been added to the statutory list, although some of these may have been recommended for listing earlier.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many sites of (a) Roman interest and (b) significance to the period of the (i) second world war and (ii) the cold war English Heritage has asked to be listed in the last three years. [11966]
Mr. Lammy: In the past three years, English Heritage has recommended one building of Roman interest for listing.
No central records are kept of the number of buildings recommended that are of second world war or cold war interest. However, within the last three years English Heritage has completed a thematic review of military aviation buildings, which has led to 261 buildings being recommended for listing, many of which played a role during the second world war. During the same period, English Heritage has also completed a thematic review of cold war buildings, which has resulted in five buildings being recommended for listing.
Licensing Act
Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport when she intends to lay the statutory instrument for the nomination of the second appointed day under the Licensing Act 2003 before Parliament. [9554]
James Purnell: We intend to lay the Order setting the second appointed day, following our recent commitment that this date will be 24 November, very soon.
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department has taken to ensure that public house licensees are aware of the 6 August deadline to re-apply for their licence to serve alcohol. [12091]
James Purnell: My Department is making every effort to make all affected individuals and businesses aware of their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003.
These efforts have included a regular newsletter which has been used as the basis for National Pubwatch articles since August 2004; an improved licensing section on my Department's website; a letter through the courts to all alcohol licence holders at renewal in 2004; and a trade and ethnic press campaign including 28 advertisements aimed at independent operators.
The publicity campaign is now being stepped up as the 6 August deadline approaches. Over the last week, my Department has sent out 180,000 leaflets for distribution through suppliers to the licensed trade, wholesalers, and cash and carries.
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Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her latest assessment is of the impact on the viability of village halls of the introduction of the new licensing regime. [12103]
James Purnell: The reform of the licensing regime will benefit village halls in the long-term by removing the need to apply for several licences and permissions. This will allow them to offer a wide range of activities to localcommunities under a single licence. Costs and bureaucracy will also be reduced—not least, because village halls will only incur licence fees where events include the sale of alcohol. The vast majority of village halls will pay no more than £190 on initial application, and £180 as an annual fee.
I met representatives of Action with Communities in Rural England on 12 July to discuss the concerns of village halls. My Department will shortly issue a public consultation document on the limit for temporary event notices allowed per year, and I fully expect the Independent Fees Review Panel to consider the concerns of village halls in detail.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effects of people not applying for licences on time under the Licensing Act 2003. [12237]
James Purnell: The latest available estimates show that 33 per cent. of the total of licence holders expected to apply have already done so. This percentage is rising rapidly as the 6 August deadline for conversion approaches.
All premises operating under the Act must have a licence granted by 24 November which is the second appointed day. My Department together with LACORS and the LGA are making every effort to ensure that licence holders are made fully aware of their responsibilities, and I remain confident that organisations will respond.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance the Government have issued to councils, relating to the Licensing Act 2003, on councillors considering licensing applications that originate from their own ward; and if she will make a statement. [13066]
James Purnell:
Central Government have not issued any advice to councils on councillors considering licensing applications that originate from their own ward. There is nothing in the Licensing Act 2003 or the guidance that we issued under section 182 of the Act or the associated regulations that prevents a ward councillor from sitting on a licensing sub-committee considering representations in respect of premises in his or her own ward. However, like all of us who have been elected to public office, councillors do have to promote and maintain high standards of conduct, ethics and propriety. Any advice that councillors receive on this issue would come from their own internal advisers and standards committees. The advice will generally be identical to that which applies to all committees carrying out local authority functions. Ultimately, the decision as to whether any councillor should disqualify himself or herself from participation in any individual case would be a matter for him or her. Such decisions would normally be subject to scrutiny by the local authority's standards committee.
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Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions the Government have had with the Standards Board for England in relation to the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. [13067]
James Purnell: None. Issues about propriety and the ethical behaviour of members of licensing committees are governed by the same standards as any other local government committee.
Listed Buildings/Sites
Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance she has issued on the (a) conservation, (b) restoration and (c) use of listed buildings. [12018]
Mr. Lammy: Government policy in relation to the historic environment is set out in planning policy guidance note 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment) and planning policy guidance note 16 (Archaeology and Planning). Further information in relation to listed buildings is available on the DCMS website www.culture.gov.uk
Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received on improper use of listed buildings in (a) Kingston and Surbiton, (b) South West London, (c) London and (d) England. [12020]
Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not aware of any representations regarding the improper use of listed buildings.
Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of listed buildings in (a) Kingston and Surbiton, (b) South West London, (c) London and (d) England; and how many in each case are in use. [12021]
Mr. Lammy: There are 153 list entries in relation to properties within the Royal borough of Kingston-upon-Thames, 2,550 for properties in South West London, 18,515 for properties in Greater London, and 372,130 for properties in England. Each list entry may include more than one building. No records are held centrally of whether listed buildings are in use.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) buildings, (b) sites and(c) parks in Chorley are listed; and if she will list those assessed as requiring (i) restoration and (ii)conservation. [12444]
Mr. Lammy: There are 54 list entries relating to listed buildings in Chorley, 11 scheduled ancient monuments, and five registered parks and gardens. Each list entry may relate to more than one building.
The following four listed buildings in Chorley appear on the Buildings at Risk Register:
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many swimming pools in England are listed; and what the process is for listing swimming pools. [12459]
Mr. Lammy: There are 94 list entries relating to swimming pools and swimming pool related buildings in England.
The criteria for listing buildings under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 are set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (PPG15).
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