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6 Mar 2006 : Column 1079W—continued

Digital Television

14. Mr. David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's targeted assistance programme for digital switchover. [55631]

James Purnell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for North-East Milton Keynes (Mr. Lancaster).

Local Authorities (Art Sales)

15. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will discourage local authorities from selling works of art as a way of balancing their budgets. [55632]

James Purnell: The Code of Ethics of the Museums Association, specifies that any decision to dispose of items should not be made with the principal aim of generating funds. I understand that MLA is currently in discussion with those bodies that have recently announced their intention to sell some paintings.

Sports Participation

16. Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to increase participation in sport. [55633]

19. Mr. Mackay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to increase participation in sport. [55636]

Mr. Caborn: The Department is committed to its public service agreement target of increasing levels of participation in sport by priority groups by 3 per cent. by 2008. We are implementing a range of measures to achieve this.

Library Services

17. Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure library services are maintained at the current level. [55634]

James Purnell: We are seeking to encourage the best possible library services through measures like the Public Library Service Standards and the publication of Framework for the Future, the first ever national strategy document.

However, ultimately, it is for the 149 library authorities in England to decide how best to deliver those services for their own communities.

Newcastle Gateshead Initiative

18. Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her Department's involvement with the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative. [55635]

Tessa Jowell: My Department continues to support the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative through the work of bodies for which I am responsible, particularly Arts Council England. I fully endorse Newcastle Gateshead Initiative's belief that culture is a powerful catalyst for regeneration.
 
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Arts Council England

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is Government policy to reduce the establishment of the Arts Council England; and if she will make a statement. [54674]

Tessa Jowell: One of the recommendations in the report of the Peer Review of Arts Council England (ACE), published in December 2005, was around the establishment of a more streamlined, strategic National Office. This recommendation, along with the others in the report, is endorsed by both ACE and DCMS. With our support, ACE is now undertaking a review of the role and structure of its National Office, the initial findings of which are due at the end of March 2006.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the policy of her Department is regarding sourcing goods from Burma. [52222]

Mr. Caborn: The Department does not actively or intentionally source goods from Burma. Its procurement policy is in line with the Government's procurement policy based on value for money, the EU and World Trade Organisation procurement rules and its own policy objectives. The Department has a sustainable timber policy and also takes into account advice from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the procurement of legal and sustainable timber.

Casinos

Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which places have submitted expressions of interest for super and regional casinos; and if she will make a statement. [55032]

Mr. Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend (Mr. Brown) on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 837W.

Since then, one local authority—Bedford—has clarified that it is interested in a large rather than the regional casino. In addition, one further authority—Newport—has indicated that it is interested in the regional casino.

Cinema Attendance

Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what change there has been in cinema attendance figures since 1997. [56175]

James Purnell: Since 1997 cinema attendance figures in the UK have risen by 18.5 per cent. from 138,922,379 at the end of 1997, to 164,691,778 at the end of 2005.

This compares to a 17.9 per cent. rise in France, 4.8 per cent. rise in Italy, and a drop of 11 per cent. in Germany.

Departmental Energy Costs

Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department on (a) gas and (b) electricity in 2004–05. [51783]

 
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Mr. Caborn: In the year 2004–05 the Department spent the following amounts:

Gas: £45,002

Electricity: £227,002

Departmental Expenditure

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent by her Department on media training in each year since 1997–98. [55211]

Mr. Caborn: The Department does not record media training separately from other forms of training.

Licensing

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from voluntary groups on the Licensing Act 2003. [56172]

James Purnell [holding answer 3 March 2006]: The Department has received a number of representations on the Licensing Act 2003 from voluntary groups, including one from the hon. Member enclosing correspondence concerning voluntary workers in old people's homes. Ministers are currently considering the views of a wide range of organisations, including some which represent voluntary groups, on the Temporary Events Notice regime. In addition, the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel has taken evidence from a number of organisations that represent voluntary and not-for-profits groups.

Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many licences for the sale of alcohol over 24 hours have been granted in (a) Swansea East and (b) Wales. [56173]

James Purnell: This information is held by local licensing authorities.

London Olympics

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department plans to take to encourage a worldwide Olympic truce during the 2012 London Olympics. [55674]

Mr. Caborn: The Host City Contract signed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Mayor of London (on behalf of the City) and the British Olympic Association (BOA) sets out that the City, the BOA and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games will promote the principles of Olympism, including the Olympic Truce.

Furthermore, it is customary for each country hosting the Olympic Games to table a resolution in the UN General Assembly in advance of the Games which urges member states to observe the Olympic Truce for the duration of the competition. The UK has co-sponsored these resolutions in advance of recent Games. I anticipate that the UK will wish to maintain the custom when London hosts the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012.
 
6 Mar 2006 : Column 1082W
 

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what procurement guidelines are being used for contracts awarded for the 2012 London Olympics. [54756]

Mr. Caborn: The London Development Agency and Transport for London are letting contracts in advance of the establishment of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The contracts will be let on the basis of a number of established and objective criteria, including cost, quality and capacity to deliver.

The interim ODA is preparing a procurement policy building upon the 'Procurement Principles' it published in September 2005 which set out its commitment to sustainability, design quality, local benefits, regeneration, legacy use and best value for money.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what mechanisms are in place to ensure that black and ethnic minority businesses receive a representational proportion of contracts awarded for the 2012 London Olympics. [54757]

Mr. Caborn: The interim Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is currently developing the ODA's procurement policy which will set out the ODA's policy on supplier diversity. The Government, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency are determined to ensure that London and UK-based businesses, including minority-led businesses, are able to bid for and be successful in accessing contracting and subcontracting opportunities arising either directly or indirectly as a result of the 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games, and are in discussion about a range of programmes to support these businesses.

Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the East of England Steering Group for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games regarding the opportunities for Peterborough to play a role in the 2012 London Olympics. [54893]

Mr. Caborn: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has had no discussions with the East of England Steering Group for the 2012 games.

However, departmental officials are working with the East of England Steering Group through the Nations and Regions Group to ensure the whole of the UK is engaged with and realises the benefits—economic, social and sporting—from the 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games.

The East of England Steering Group will be producing a plan to ensure the whole of the region, including Peterborough, benefits from the games.

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