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17 Oct 2005 : Column 719W—continued
London Bombings
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the London bombings of 7 and 21 July 2005 on tourism in (a) London and (b) England; and if she will make a statement. [16882]
James Purnell: I met representatives of the London and UK tourism sector on 12 July and 6 October 2005. Ihave also received regular updates on work to assess the economic effects of the bombings, and on recovery work, through the VisitBritain-led Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group.
The Group commissioned work from Oxford economic forecasting following 22 July 2005, the results of which project the financial effects of the bombings as follows:
(a) the turnover of the London tourism industry is projected to be £500 million lower than previously expected; and
(b) total tourism revenues across the UK are projected to be £750 million lower than previously expected (separate figures for England were not produced).
Although there has been a downturn in domestic tourists visiting London, the visitor economy in both the UK and London is still expected to grow by the end of 2005. Overseas visitor arrivals are expected to grow by 6 per cent. in London with spending likely to increase by 8 per cent. with the United States market remaining particularly strong.
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My Department and its partner organisations in the private and public sectors continue to monitor the situation closely.
London Olympics
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what she estimates the additional levy on London council tax bills to fund the Olympics will be; and what the proposed (a) commencement date and (b) end date is. [15214]
Tessa Jowell: The Mayor has advised that he will raise up to £625 million towards investment in regeneration, infrastructure and facilities necessary to stage the Olympics through council tax, beginning in 2006–07. This is expected to raise £550 million within 10 years and a further £75 million within another two years, if required, and will equate to a £20 a year or 38p a week addition to B and D bills.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the revenue to be generated each year from additional levy to be charged on London council tax bills to fund the Olympics. [15215]
Tessa Jowell: It is anticipated that London council tax would generate £55 million per year for 10 years, and, if required, a further £75 million over the subsequent two years, towards investment in regeneration, infrastructure and facilities necessary to stage the Olympics.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the transport infrastructure needs associated with hosting the 2012 Olympic Games; and if she will make a statement. [15823]
Tessa Jowell: In preparing the Olympic bid, London 2012 and Transport for London carried out detailed assessments of Olympic transport needs and capacity. The Government were fully involved in this process. Details of provision and proposals for Olympic transport infrastructure can be found in chapter 14 of the candidature file, which was presented to the International Olympic Committee in November 2004. This information can also be found at http://www.london2012.org/NR/rdonlyres/C27233BA-E663–4FD8– 8EC8-A7896B547EFD/0/Theme_14_transport.pdf
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for how many years the Olympics council tax supplement will be levied on London council tax bills; and what the estimated supplement is per capita for each year of operation. [17384]
Tessa Jowell:
Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Mayor of London (Command Paper CM5867 laid before the House in June 2003) it is planned to raise up to £625 million towards investment in regeneration, infrastructure and facilities necessary to stage the Olympics through council tax, beginning in 2006–07. It is planned to raise £550 million within 10 years, and a further £75 million within another two years if required. This is expected to equate to a £20 a year or 38p a week addition to band D bills.
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Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much is planned to be raised from the Olympics council tax supplement on London council tax payers. [17387]
Tessa Jowell: It is planned that the London council tax will raise up to £625 million towards investment in regeneration, infrastructure and facilities necessary to stage the Olympics. This is part of the overall public funding package that is set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Mayor of London (Command Paper CM5867 laid before the House in June 2003.)
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what weight will be given to the environmental record of prospective bidders in determining tenders for work in connection with the London Olympics 2012. [17666]
Tessa Jowell: The Procurement Principles", recently published by the interim Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), recognise the need to maximise the potential to improve the environment in East London and minimise adverse environmental impact of the Games and legacy development. The Procurement Strategy, currently being developed by the interim ODA, will specifically address this important issue.
Mr. Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the 2012 Olympic Games on the Tooting constituency; and if she will make a statement. [18116]
Mr. Caborn: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring significant sporting, social and economic benefits to London and the whole of the UK. The Games will inspire a new generation to greater sporting activity and will leave a fantastic legacy of state-of-the-art sporting facilities in London. Tooting residents will experience the unique opportunity of having the world's greatest sporting event nearby and there will be a range of opportunities to get involved in the Games, whether as an athlete, spectator or volunteer. The people of Tooting will also share in the significant improvements to London's transport infrastructure and the community will have the opportunity to participate in the four-year cultural festival that will accompany the Games.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport what commitments she has made in respect of Government funding to support delivery of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics games. [18171]
Tessa Jowell: The Government funding commitments remain as stated in the candidature file and as presented to the IOC in Singapore this July.
National Lottery
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the national lottery operator has paid to the National Lottery Commission in licence fees in each year since 1994. [18877]
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Mr. Caborn: Licence fees paid to the National Lottery Commission since 1994 are:
| Amount (£) | |
|---|---|
| 1994–95 | 110,000 |
| 1995–96 | 260,000 |
| 1996–97 | 340,000 |
| 1997–98 | 400,000 |
| 1998–99 | 380,000 |
| 1999–2000 | 480,000 |
| 2000–01 | 620,000 |
| 2001–02 | 544,000 |
| 2002–03 | 820,000 |
| 2003–04 | 428,000 |
| 2004–05 | 316,000 |
National Sports Foundation
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements have been put in place for (a) the For Sport Consortia, (b) the British Olympic Association and (c) other sports to receive funding from the National Sports Foundation. [15633]
Mr. Caborn [holding answer 10 October 2005]: No arrangements are in place yet. Discussions on how National Sports Foundation funding will be distributed are ongoing and decisions will be taken in due course.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who will chair the National Sports Foundation; and what the senior management structure will be. [15635]
Mr. Caborn [holding answer 10 October 2005]: Discussions on the structure of the National Sports Foundation are ongoing and decisions will be taken in due course.
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