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19 Jul 2005 : Column 1562W—continued
Radio Broadcasting
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport whether Ofcom briefs her Department on (a) new and (b) existing commercial radio stations. [13568]
James Purnell:
Ofcom are an independent regulator with responsibility for the planning, licensing and regulation of commercial radio. They have no specific duty to brief the Department for Culture, Media and
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Sport on new or existing commercial radio services, but keep my Department informed of developments through regular contacts.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last met Ofcom to discuss radio broadcasting. [13024]
James Purnell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport met the chief executive and senior officials of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) on 6 April. They discussed various broadcasting issues, including radio.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on (a) the regulation and licensing of commercial radio and (b) the prospects for growth in the sector. [13025]
James Purnell: The regulation and licensing of commercial radio are a matter for Ofcom, acting within the framework we established in the Communications Act 2003.
As Ofcom indicated in their report, Radio—Preparing for the future—Phase 1" they foresee opportunities for future growth especially through the increasing take-up of digital radio.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many radio licences are expected to be granted in 2005; and whether a licence is expected to be granted for Chorley. [13430]
James Purnell: The matter raised 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 my hon. Friend. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many current commercial radio licences there are. [13610]
James Purnell: There are currently three national and 272 local commercial analogue radio licences. In addition, one national digital multiplex, carrying eight services, and 46 local multiplexes, carrying 196 services, have been licensed.
Regional Casinos
Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have to increase the number of regional casino licences from the present cap of one; and if she will make a statement [12840]
Mr. Caborn: The Gambling Act 2005 provides that no more than one casino premises licence may have effect at any time in respect of regional casinos, and we are proceeding with plans for the implementation of the Act on that basis.
Rugby
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department last attended a (i) rugby union and (ii) rugby league match in an official capacity. [12265]
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Mr. Caborn: In my capacity as Minister for Sport, I last attended a rugby union match on 27 November 2004 (England v Australia). However, I intend to attend the Powergen challenge cup final on 27 August 2005, and the rugby super league grand final on 15 October 2005.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last attended a rugby union match on 6 March 2004.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) assistance and (b) funding her Department provided to rugby league in 2004–05. [12264]
Mr. Caborn: One of Sport England's 10 priority sports, the success of rugby league in achieving modernisation and participation targets was a major factor behind the decision (announced February 2005) to allocate the sport £11.5 million in funding spread over the next four years.
Although funding has been essential for achieving the sport's aims, Sport England has also worked with the Rugby Football League (RFL) the national governing body, in a consultative capacity, helping to develop business plans and to streamline and modernise its internal structure. The latest phase of cooperation between the RFL and Sport England has seen an increased focus on the autonomy of the governing body in defining and delivering its own objectives whilst maintaining the high level of support and advice offered by Sport England.
For the financial year 2004–05, rugby league received a total of approximately £3,323,000 in funding through Sport England. Of this, £465,000 was provided by the Exchequer and approximately £2,858,000 was lottery funding. A full breakdown is provided in the following table. It should be noted that with the exception of those programmes marked 1 , funding was administered via the RFL.
Notes:
1. Total exchequer funding—£465,000.
2. Total lottery funding—£2,858,000 (approx).
3. Overall total funding—£3,323,000 (approx).
Swimming Pools
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) privately operated and (b) publicly operated swimming pools have been closed or taken out of use in each London borough in each year since 1997. [12256]
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Mr. Caborn: Eight swimming pools have closed or been taken out of use in the following London boroughs since 1997:
(3) Currently being refurbished and due to re-open by December 2005.
(4) Currently being refurbished and due to re-open by December 2005.
We do not hold details of the public or private ownership status of these swimming pools.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 66W, on swimming pools (parental supervision), when she expects to announce the series of measures agreed at the meeting on 5 April about parental supervision of children in swimming pools; [5530]
(2) pursuant to the answer to question ref. 5530, when she expects to announce the measures agreed at the meeting on 5 April about parental supervision of children in swimming pools. [12713]
Mr. Caborn: My Department expects to announce this week the package of measures which has been agreed in responding to the issue of parental supervision of children in swimming pools.
Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promulgate the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme in Oxfordshire. [12404]
Mr. Caborn [holding answer 18 July 2005]: The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is run by SportEngland and delivered through educational institutions. Sporting services are provided to TASS athletes in the Oxfordshire region by Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities.
Information regarding the programme is provided to educational institutions and current and potential TASS athletes through the TASS Operations Team, National Governing Bodies of Sport, SportsAid and University College Sport.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme places have been awarded to 12 to 18-year-olds living in Oxfordshire. [12405]
Mr. Caborn
[holding answer 18 July 2005]: The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) provides sporting services to help young athletes fulfil their sporting potential. Awards are in the form of bursaries to 16 to 19-year-olds, scholarships to 18 to 25-years-old and 2012 scholarships aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds.
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There are 27 athletes on the TASS programme that are from Oxfordshire or receiving sporting services in Oxfordshire. Five of these athletes are aged 12 to 18 of which four will be receiving a 2012 scholarship.
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