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19 Feb 2007 : Column 291W—continued
Public Participation
Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the terms of reference are for the review of the consolidation of the Government’s customer interface being led by the Cabinet Secretary; when it is expected to report; and if she will make a statement. [120594]
Hilary Armstrong: The programme of change and the role of the Cabinet Secretary are set out in Sir David Varney’s report “Service transformation: A better service for citizens and businesses, a better deal for the taxpayer”. A delivery plan to implement Sir David Varney’s report will be published later this year.
Trading Standards
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the proposed Local Better Regulation Office will (a) set targets for and (b) inspect local authorities' environmental health and trading standards services. [119545]
Mr. McFadden: In the spring the Government intend to publish a consultation document setting out in detail proposals regarding the role of the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO). The expectation is that LBRO will neither set targets for local authorities' environmental health and trading standards services, nor inspect local authorities' environmental health and trading standards services. LBRO will work within the performance framework announced in the Local Government White Paper. As a result of LBRO's activities the Government expect to see compliant businesses benefiting from a regulatory regime that is less burdensome, more consistent, more co-ordinated and better targeted.
Culture, Media and Sport
ASK Property Developments
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings the Secretary of State, Ministers or officials have held with (a) Mick Hucknall and (b) other representatives of ASK Property Developments over the past five years. [120957]
Mr. Caborn: We have no record of any such meetings having taken place involving Ministers or officials responsible for gambling policy.
Clubs: Licensing
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect of the Licensing Act 2003 on sports clubs; and if she will make a statement. [119685]
Mr. Woodward: The Government are committed to monitoring the operation of the new licensing regime to ensure it does not place an unfair burden on local community groups, including sports clubs.
We specifically asked the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel, as part of their terms of reference, to look at how the fee structure affects community amateur sports clubs, and identify whether it should be adjusted to address any disproportionate impact. The panel's final report was placed in the Library of the House on 25 January. Ministers are currently considering the panel's detailed conclusions and recommendations, including those relating to community amateur sports clubs, and will provide a full response shortly.
Departmental Fixed Assets
Mr. Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2007, Official Report, column 2057W, on departmental fixed assets, what the floor area in square metres was of each of the buildings sold in Windsor. [120742]
Mr. Lammy: In 2004-05 DCMS sold the freeholds of 30, 31 and 32 Park street, Windsor, to their lessees. The floor area in square metres for each was as follows:
The original building had a gross internal area of approximately 111.8 square metres. After the leaseholder's improvements the building had a gross internal area of approximately 130.76 square metres which includes a conservatory.
The original building had a gross internal area of approximately 111.8 square metres. After the leaseholder's improvements the building had a gross internal area of approximately 130.76 square metres.
The original building had a gross internal area of approximately 115.75 square metres. After the leaseholder's improvements (rear addition at first floor level) the building had a gross internal area of approximately 138.35 square metres.
Departments: Equal Opportunities
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to ensure that it and related bodies are in compliance with the gender equality duty in the Equality Act 2006 by the April 2007 deadline. [120977]
Mr. Lammy: DCMS anticipated the introduction of the gender equality duty by publishing a combined Equality Scheme in December 2006 addressing race, disability and gender. The Department is currently reviewing and updating that scheme to ensure that it compiles with the gender equality duty. An updated Equality Scheme will be published by 30 April 2007. The Department has also organised an awareness seminar on the gender equality duty for our sponsored bodies and will encourage compliance with the duty to publish an Equality Scheme by the April 2007 deadline.
Departments: Gender Equality
Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to implement the gender equality duty due to come into force on 6 April. [120626]
Mr. Lammy: DCMS anticipated the introduction of the gender equality duty by publishing a combined Equality Scheme in December 2006 addressing race, disability and gender. The Department is currently reviewing and updating that scheme to ensure that it complies with the gender equality duty. An updated Equality Scheme will be published by 30 April 2007.
Departments: Official Cars
Mr. Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many vehicles belonging to her Department were (a) lost and (b) stolen in each year since 1997; and what the (i) make and model and (ii) value was of each vehicle. [121358]
Mr. Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not own any vehicles; nor has it owned any vehicles during the period covered by the question; i.e. since 1997.
Departments: Pay
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total sum of bonuses paid to civil servants in her Department was in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006. [121552]
Mr. Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport makes bonus payments to its staff for two purposes: (a) special bonuses to reward outstanding contributions in particularly demanding tasks or situations; and (b) performance bonuses to reward highly successful performance over a whole year.
The total of all bonuses paid in the 2004-05 tax year was £215,285, and the total in 2005-06 tax year was £293,241.
Digital Broadcasting
Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from organisations in the programme making and special events sector on the Digital Dividend Review and its impact on members of the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group; what consideration she has given to such representations; and if she will make a statement. [121071]
Mr. Woodward: We have received a number of representations on these matters.
However, the issues raised form part of the Digital Dividend Review (DDR), which is the responsibility of Ofcom.
Accordingly, representations should be made to Ofcom, who published their consultation document for the DDR on 19 December 2006. The consultation ends 20 March 2007.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what technical information has been provided to organisations in the programme making and special events sector by her Department in order for them to prepare for the switchover to digital television broadcasting; and if she will make a statement. [121196]
Mr. Woodward: The Department has not provided any technical information to the above organisations.
Ofcom’s proposals for dealing with spectrum use by the Programme Making and Special Events sector are set out in the Digital Dividend Review consultation document published by Ofcom on the 19 December 2006. The consultation ends 20 March 2007.
Entertainments: Tickets
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library the consumer study undertaken by her Department on the resale of entertainment tickets; and if she will make a statement. [120952]
Mr. Lammy: Yes, copies of the full report will be placed in the Library of both Houses in due course.
Film
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to encourage cinemas to give greater space to British films. [120462]
Mr. Woodward: The UK Film Council, Government’s strategic agency for film, aims to promote the widest possible understanding and enjoyment of cinema across the nations and regions of the UK. It runs a Distribution and Exhibition Fund to bring a wider choice of films to citizens with specific emphasis on British films, specialised films and world cinema.
The council is currently rolling out the digital screen network (DSN). This will provide 240 screens nationwide with state-of-the-art digital projection
equipment in return for a commitment to screening more British and specialised films. The new equipment also allows for a dramatic reduction in the cost of distribution, thereby facilitating the wider release of specialised titles to audiences across the UK. To date, 136 screens have been installed in 118 cinemas countrywide, screening a total of 21 British films.
The council also operates a £2 million per annum Prints and Advertising Fund to assist the wider distribution and better marketing of British and specialised films. To date, the fund has invested in 40 British films and co-productions, all of which have been released nationwide.
Licensing Act 2003
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the timetable is for the second stage review of the Secretary of State's guidance on the Licensing Act 2003. [120792]
Mr. Woodward: As part of the second stage of the review of Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, a public consultation on draft revised guidance began on 16 January. The consultation concludes on 11 April. Following the consideration and analysis of consultation responses, we expect to issue the final revised guidance in spring 2007.
Ministers: Visits Abroad
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the full itinerary was for the visits of the Minister for Media and Tourism to (a) New York and Los Angeles between 29 October and 6 November, (b) New York and Washington between 9 and 15 May and (c) San Francisco between 30 September and 3 October 2006; what the dates and times were of the meetings held during each visit; with whom each meeting was held; and if she will publish the minutes of the meetings. [120593]
Mr. Woodward: A list of overseas visits in 2006 was provided in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 25 January 2007, Official Report, column 1918W.
Minutes of meetings will not be published as to do so would be likely to inhibit the free and frank discussion between Ministers and stakeholders in the future and therefore would be likely to prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.
Ofcom: Consultants
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much was paid by Ofcom to (a) consultants and (b) other outside agencies in each year since 2003; [121625]
(2) how many staff were employed by OFCOM in each year since 2003; and what the salary cost was in each year. [121630]
Mr. Woodward:
The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief
Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive’s letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Olympic Games
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people are employed by London 2012, broken down by type of employment. [118746]
Mr. Caborn: As at 5 February 2007 the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) employs 90 permanent employees, 24 seconded employees and three fixed term employees. There are 21 Board and Committee members. In addition, the ODA currently employs 74 temporary/interim staff.
As at 5 February 2007 the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) employs 114 permanent or fixed term employees, eight seconded employees and 13 consultants. In addition, LOCOG currently employs five temporary/interim staff.
Pensioners: Licensing
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department has plans to extend free television licensing to those of basic state pension age in addition to those aged over 75 years. [120313]
Mr. Woodward: The Government have no plans to extend the availability of free TV licences. The BBC Charter Review White Paper, published in March 2006, noted that concessions had been proposed for a wide range of groups, but that there was little consensus as to who should benefit, the criteria on which any new concessions should be allocated, or how they should be funded.
Sports: Facilities
Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of land banking of open space designated for sports on the availability of sports facilities; and if she will make a statement. [121135]
Mr. Caborn: No formal assessment of land banking has been made.
However, land banking of sports facilities, such as playing fields, is not currently considered a widespread problem due to the increased protection that the Government have provided. This includes playing fields not being categorised as previously developed land under planning guidance (PPG3) which makes planning permission for housing on these sites much harder to achieve.
Moreover, the majority of playing field sites are in local authority ownership or club ownership, and therefore a search of the land registry would only identify a small percentage in developers’ hands.
In addition, the Government have provided clear planning guidance to local authorities (PPG17) that no playing field needed by their communities should be lost.
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