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16 Jan 2006 : Column 952W—continued
Big Lottery Fund
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library a copy of the deprivation index used for resource allocation by the Big Lottery Fund. [41183]
Mr. Caborn: There is no one deprivation index used for resource allocation by the Big Lottery Fund. I have asked the chief executive of the Fund to write to the hon. Member in more detail and I will place copies of his response in the Libraries of both Houses.
Consultants/Special Advisers
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 6 December 2005, Official Report, column 1094, on Consultants/Special Advisers, if she will place in the Library a copy of the ASK Europe plc report on 360 Degree Feedback; and if she will make a statement. [40750]
Mr. Lammy: From December 2003 to September 2004, DCMS ran a 360 Degree Feedback programme designed to increase self awareness and management performance among staff with line management responsibility. The contract was awarded to ASK Europe plc. after a competitive tender exercise. I am arranging for copies of ASK Europe's report on the programme to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Correspondence
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 21 November 2005. [41973]
James Purnell: I replied to the hon. Member's letter on 11 January.
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Minister for Sport will reply to the letter of 25 November 2005 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire. [42144]
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Mr. Caborn: I am currently awaiting advice on the issues raised in the correspondence from your constituent, to which I hope to respond to shortly.
Departmental Expenditure
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department on new works of art in each year since 1997; where each item is located; and whether each item is accessible to the public. [41327]
Mr. Lammy: The following figures represent how much the Government Art Collection (part of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport) has spent on works of art since 1 April1997, including the current Financial Year:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 137,000 |
| 1998–99 | 127,000 |
| 1999–2000 | 179,000 |
| 2000–01 | 135,000 |
| 2001–02 | 158,000 |
| 2002–03 | 253,600 |
| 2003–04 | 225,200 |
| 2004–05 | 295,500 |
| 2005–10 January 2006 | 242,600 |
Some works of art included in these figures have beenpurchased or commissioned by the Government Art Collection on behalf of other Government Departments. These figures exclude works of art commissioned for the new Home Office building, Marsham Street, London as the project is ongoing and costs have not been finalised.
A list of current locations of works of art purchased since 1 April 1997 (as of 10 January 2006) and listed by Government Department and Government Art Collection (GAC), is provided in a separate document. I am arranging for copies of this document to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The GAC's acquisition policy is guided by the Advisory Committee on the GAC which is a non-departmental public body. Members are both independent and ex-officio, including the Directors of the Tate, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.
The GAC plays a unique role in the UK in displaying works of art from its holdings in major Government buildings in the UK and abroad, in order to promote British art, culture and history. Due to the nature of Government buildings and current security issues, it is not possible for the general public to gain open access to most of the works on a daily basis. However, the buildings in which the works of art are displayed—in reception rooms, entrance halls, Minister's and ambassador's offices—all receive many thousands of visitors per year, all over the world.
Members of the public may consult the GAC to see individual works of art. Additionally, many Government buildings in the UK (including the GAC's own premises) are accessible during the annual Open House Weekend. The GAC also gives regular tours throughout the year round its premises, lends works of
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art to public exhibitions, and operates a website (www.gac.culture.gov.uk) listing and illustrating all its original works of art. A growing number of historical and modern prints are being added to this.
Digital Broadcasting
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 2181W, on digital broadcasting, what estimate she has made of the (a) number of sets that will ultimately become surplus to requirement as non-digitalised and (b) total cost to the public of compliance with digitalisation; what regulations govern disposing of excess sets; and what estimate she has made of the cost of disposing. [41145]
Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
Digital switchover itself does not require any equipment to be thrown away, but its timing may affect the timing of disposal of some equipment such as rarely used televisions that people choose not to adapt. This may accelerate the process by which all electrical equipment would be disposed of in the natural course of events.
DTI and DEFRA have commissioned research to model any changes in patterns of waste disposal generate by digital switchover. The first results from this research are expected shortly.
A comprehensive assessment of total costs to consumers arising from digital television switchover was made in cost benefit analysis work undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport between 2002 and 2005. Details of this assessment also appear in the Government's Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment on the timing of digital switchover which was published on 16 September 2005.
Any additional waste electrical equipment produced as a result of the switchover will be disposed of subject to the requirement of the EU waste electrical and electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive. The planned WEEE regulations, which implement the directive, will make producers of electrical goods financially responsible for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The planned implementation of the WEEE regulations are currently under review and a new timetable for implementation will be announced shortly.
Elite Athlete Funding
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from whom she has received representations on elite athlete funding since the pre-Budget report; and what view each expressed. [42705]
Mr. Caborn:
In addition to periodic telephone calls and conversations between DCMS, UK Sport and BOA officials, the BOA wrote to the Department on 21 December about elite athlete funding. The letter expressed support for setting a target of 4th place in the Olympic medal table in 2012, and that there should be a six year funding package for elite athletes.
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Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 32W, on elite athletes (funding), what the title was of UK Sports's submission; what level of funding it envisaged; over how many years; and what aspirational target for medals it set. [42737]
Mr. Caborn: UK Sport's submission to the Department was called A Sporting Chance for all in 2012: Additional Funding to Support Team GB Success at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Options for the Chancellor's 2005 Pre-Budget Report: Submission from UK Sport".
The submission presents a 'top line' funding package together with a range of options for additional investment in the run-up to London 2012, starting in 2006. The submission identifies potential medal targets for 2012 depending on the resources available.
As this policy advice is under active consideration, it would not be appropriate to divulge further details.
Gender Equality (Sports Events)
Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on whether there should be equal prize money for men and women participating in mixed events such as road races. [42391]
Mr. Caborn: The Government are committed to promoting equality in sport but decisions on prize money for men and women participating in mixed events are an issue for those organising the events.
Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the (a) Amateur Athletics Association and (b) UK Athletics will be subject to the duty to promote gender equality under the Equality Bill. [42396]
Mr. Caborn: The Government have consulted on the range of bodies they intend to require to comply with the specific duties under the Equality Bill. The consultation period ended on 12 January 2006 and all responses will be carefully considered.
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