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15 Mar 2006 : Column 2259W—continued
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Libraries
Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many new mobile lending library services have been opened in each of the last 10 years; [58379]
(2) how many mobile public lending libraries have closed in each of the last 10 years. [58380]
Mr. Lammy: The number of mobile libraries in England in each of the last 10 years was as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| 1995–96 | 496 |
| 1996–97 | 491 |
| 1997–98 | 476 |
| 1998–99 | 468 |
| 1999–2000 | 470 |
| 2000–01 | 465 |
| 2001–02 | 473 |
| 2002–03 | 462 |
| 2003–04 | 461 |
| 2004–05 | 433 |
Source:
Public Library Statistics 2004–05 Actuals, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and LISU Annual Library Statistics 2005 (derived from CIPFA Actuals figures 1995–96 to 2003–04).
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Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many new public lending libraries have been opened in each of the last 10 years; [58381]
(2) how many public lending libraries have closed in each of the last 10 years. [58382]
Mr. Lammy: The number of static public libraries in England in each of the last 10 years was as follows.
(1) By hours open per week.
Source:
Public Library Statistics 2004–05 Actuals, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and LISU Annual Library Statistics 2005 (derived from CIPFA Actuals figures 1995–96 to 2003–04).
Sports Fields/Playing Fields
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what length of time local authority-owned sports grounds must remain unused before they can be disposed of without (a) the permission of and (b) consultation with (i) the Secretary of State and (ii) Sport England. [58480]
Mr. Caborn: Local authorities are not required either to seek the permission of or consult the Secretary of State over the disposal or development of sports grounds.
Sport England is a statutory consultee on all planning applications affecting playing fields, land used as playing fields, or land allocated for use as playing fields in a current development plan. This includes being consulted on applications affecting any land that has been used as a playing field in the last five years and any replacement of a grass pitch with a synthetic surface.
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Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many local authorities have publicly available lists of sports fields; and how many local authorities have published a playing fields strategy. [58481]
Mr. Caborn: The number of local authorities who draw up and publish lists of sports fields and playing fields strategies is not collated centrally.
However, the Active Places database lists publicly available sports facilities across the whole of England, including sports fields.
Furthermore, the relevant planning guidance—planning policy guidance note 17: planning for open space, sport and recreation—requires that all local authorities should carry out assessments of needs and audits of open space and sports and recreational facilities, including playing fields, from which to develop effective strategies and appropriate policies.
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria a playing field must meet before it can be considered for disposal under the statutory consultation process. [58482]
Mr. Caborn: The relevant planning guidance—planning policy guidance note 17: planning for open space, sport and recreation—requires that existing sports land, including playing fields, should not be disposed of or built on unless an assessment has been undertaken which clearly shows the land to be surplus to requirements. It is expected that open space, sports and recreational facilities that are of a high quality or of particular value to a local community should be given protection by local authorities through appropriate policies.
Where such an assessment has not been undertaken, PPG17 requires that planning permission for any development be refused, unless it meets one of the following criteria:
(i) it is ancillary to the use of the site as a playing field and does not adversely affect the quantity or quality of pitches and their use;
(iii) the playing field that would be lost as a result of the proposed development would be replaced by another of equivalent or better quantity or quality and in a suitable location;
(iv) it is for an outdoor or indoor sports facility of sufficient benefit to the development of sport to outweigh the loss of the playing field.
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether playing fields under 1 hectare are subject to compulsory consultation guidelines before being considered for disposal. [58483]
Mr. Caborn: Any development on playing fields measuring 0.4 hectares or over is subject to compulsory consultation with Sport England.
Ticket Sales
Mr. Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government is taking to combat the illegal selling of concert tickets on internet auction sites. [58668]
Mr. Lammy: I am aware of the problems which can arise from secondary ticketing and of the problems caused by ticket touting generally. I recognise also of course the potential distress to fans and consumers and the wider economic damage it causes. We are therefore working with other Government Departments and stakeholders to determine the best action to take.
As an early step we recently hosted a ticket-touting summit with representatives from the entertainment, cultural and sporting industries to consider a way forward. Subsequently my officials are currently working with other Government Departments, the Office of Fair Trading and the relevant industries to analyse the root causes of the problem and the likely options for action, and they will be reporting their findings back to me in due course.
Among other things a DCMS-led working group will examine the adequacy of existing consumer legislation and how it could be better enforced, in addition to identifying any gaps and loopholes that might need further action.
Our aim in taking this forward must be to find solutions that protects fans and ensures that our creative, cultural and sporting industries are able to realise legitimate revenue streams. Any proposed solutions must also be both achievable and enforceable. In particular, we shall be looking at the scope for achieving greater clarity and transparency about the sale/resale of ticket sales over the Internet and other channels. And we will also seek to promote greater industry collaboration especially in the area of best practice.
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Provisional IRA
12. Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his policy that the Provisional IRA must disband before Sinn Fein can join a restored Northern Ireland Executive. [57312]
Mr. Hanson: The Government are committed to an end to paramilitary and criminal activity, from whatever source that comes. The restoration of the Assembly remains a priority for Government on that basis.
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