Live Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Questions House of Commons


Live Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Questions

Similar Content

Browse content similar to Live Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Questions. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!

Transcript


LineFromTo

Good morning and welcome to live coverage from the House of Commons.

:00:09.:00:14.

There are two urgent questions. First on Southern Cross and the

:00:14.:00:18.

second is on the plans to turn the worst performing primary school us

:00:18.:00:23.

into academies. Sir George Young will announce the upcoming business

:00:23.:00:28.

in that chamber and George Osborne will make a statement on banking

:00:28.:00:32.

reform and the Government's plans to sell off Northern Rock. They

:00:32.:00:37.

will debate the Armed Forces Bill at third reading. Join me for a

:00:37.:00:47.

round-up of the day in the The Record tonight. First, questions

:00:47.:00:57.
:00:57.:01:10.

for the Secretary of State for Order, order. Questions for the

:01:10.:01:13.

Secretary of State for Culture Olympics Media and Sport.

:01:13.:01:17.

provisions relating to the on line infringement of copyright have been

:01:17.:01:22.

subject to a review. We hope to announce a new timetable for

:01:22.:01:27.

implementation of their measures shortly. We hope the obligations

:01:27.:01:35.

would be fair and effective. Before the general election, his junior

:01:35.:01:39.

coalition partners campaigned fiercely to oppose Blair but

:01:39.:01:43.

disconnection as part of the Act pledging to take disconnection of

:01:43.:01:48.

the statute book. Now the coalition Government are looking to see if

:01:48.:01:51.

the provisions are technically unworkable. Does that mean the

:01:51.:01:54.

Government are OK with the principle of internet disconnection

:01:54.:02:04.
:02:04.:02:05.

and what other -- and what are the findings? I think the honourable

:02:05.:02:10.

gentleman is referring to the provisions to block websites. As he

:02:10.:02:20.
:02:20.:02:21.

quite rightly said, Ofcom have repaired -- prepared a report.

:02:21.:02:24.

Would the Minister join with me in congratulating that great academic

:02:24.:02:31.

centre of learning, Bournemouth University. They have expanded

:02:31.:02:39.

their digital economy steadies. -- studies. Half the people that

:02:39.:02:45.

worked on the film, avatar, are graduates of Bournemouth University.

:02:45.:02:51.

I would certainly join him in congratulating them. I have visited

:02:51.:02:56.

Bournemouth University when I was the opposition spokesman. I am

:02:56.:03:02.

happy to join him in congratulating them. It is over a year since this

:03:02.:03:09.

House back to the economy Act bed days no sign of the measures being

:03:09.:03:13.

implemented. Why doesn't he faced down his critics and put in a

:03:13.:03:18.

programme and get this Act implemented? That is what we intend

:03:18.:03:24.

to do. Further to the minister's early answer, the Lib Dems argues

:03:24.:03:28.

that the proposals in relation to wear but blocking wouldn't work.

:03:28.:03:33.

Has the Minister come to the same conclusion and will he accept it is

:03:33.:03:38.

vital we find ways of protecting the I P of creators from illegal

:03:38.:03:45.

websites? Can he tell us what will happen? We will announce our

:03:45.:03:51.

proposals shortly and we asked Ofcom to give an indication --

:03:51.:03:55.

independent report to block websites. We will publish that

:03:55.:04:04.

following that report. I am grateful. We have implemented

:04:04.:04:10.

the electron met -- electronic communications framework relating

:04:10.:04:18.

to disabilities. We continued to work closely with of, and we fully

:04:18.:04:22.

support their current review of really services for deaf and

:04:22.:04:27.

hearing impaired telecoms users, including British sign language

:04:27.:04:34.

users. Deaf connections tummy there is an urgent need to introduce

:04:34.:04:42.

video relay technology to create access to kept -- telecoms. Ofcom

:04:42.:04:47.

are about to publish their 11th communication looking at this issue.

:04:47.:04:57.
:04:57.:04:59.

We he meet with of comp to discuss the progress for users? If -- and

:04:59.:05:04.

will he meet. It is not strictly accurate to say this is the 11th

:05:04.:05:12.

Ofcom review. We look forward to that review and may well be

:05:12.:05:18.

publishing a consultation document in the summer. -- they will be

:05:18.:05:25.

publishing. I thank the Minister. Excuse me,

:05:25.:05:31.

number three. I will answer this question with Question 9 and 16.

:05:32.:05:37.

When we came to office 230 million had been allocated to broadband

:05:37.:05:42.

roll-out. That has been increased to 830 million. It is still not

:05:43.:05:46.

enough thought we are determined to do what we can. If I know the

:05:46.:05:53.

people of Wiltshire welcome the fact they are to receive money. The

:05:53.:05:58.

high-speed super-fast broadband raises the spectre and parents are

:05:59.:06:05.

worried that children will be able to access inappropriate material

:06:05.:06:15.
:06:15.:06:16.

much easier. Is he prepared to regulate to keep our children safe?

:06:16.:06:19.

I can confirm that the Government takes this issue incredibly

:06:19.:06:24.

seriously. The Bailey review on the socialisation of youth is one

:06:24.:06:29.

indication. We have a meeting with the trade body this week to take

:06:29.:06:33.

the issue further. We believe strongly that internet service

:06:34.:06:37.

providers need to behave in a socially responsible way to do what

:06:37.:06:44.

they can to protect children. We support what she's saying. What

:06:44.:06:48.

assessment has the Minister made of how the roll-out of super-fast

:06:48.:06:53.

broadband could support the introduction of universal and the R

:06:53.:06:59.

S, video relay service, which will ensure deaf sign language jewellers

:06:59.:07:06.

-- Duke -- users can have access? Those kind of services are exactly

:07:06.:07:15.

the reason why it is important that we have a very ambitious programme.

:07:15.:07:20.

Ofcom art reviewing the matter he talks about during the summer. I

:07:20.:07:25.

would urge him in encouraging the party opposite to get behind the

:07:25.:07:32.

agenda for super-fast broadband. They are committed to super-fast

:07:32.:07:41.

broadband. In a small village in my constituency, a local organisation

:07:41.:07:45.

has ensured 200 subscribers receive broad bands using a microwave

:07:45.:07:51.

network. Would my honourable friend confirm that under UK funding

:07:51.:08:00.

guidelines, such technology will be covered for villages? It I am

:08:00.:08:05.

prepared to confirm that. Our policy is technology neutral. We

:08:05.:08:09.

are asking local authorities to come forward with a broad and plan

:08:09.:08:19.

that will secure 100 % coverage. -- broadband plan. How they do that

:08:19.:08:26.

what is up to them. 8% of constituents are living in spots

:08:26.:08:30.

where they have no broadband access at all and 13 % in houses where

:08:30.:08:40.
:08:40.:08:44.

there is less than to make a Many consumers of removing their

:08:44.:08:49.

lines and using mobile telephone need to access the internet. I've

:08:49.:08:52.

written to the Secretary of State to say that because of the delay to

:08:53.:09:02.

the spectrum, there is a loss to the Exchequer of �316 million.

:09:02.:09:05.

Given that O'Toole are threatening action, is the Secretary of State

:09:05.:09:10.

going to consider it using his powers to make sure this happens

:09:10.:09:15.

sooner rather than later? We are committed to proceeding with the

:09:15.:09:25.
:09:25.:09:27.

auction is as soon as possible. Another point, we think that mobile

:09:27.:09:35.

is going to play and -- a vital part in super-fast broadband. The

:09:35.:09:40.

amount of internet mobile data is tripling every year. We need to get

:09:40.:09:44.

their mobile data to a fixed line. As quickly as possible if we are

:09:44.:09:54.
:09:54.:09:56.

going to deal with the 26 fold increase in mobile internet data.

:09:56.:09:58.

The Secretary of State clarified that the 530 million from central

:09:58.:10:03.

Government will have to be matched by local authorities for the roll-

:10:03.:10:07.

out of super-fast broadband. Can who say where he expects this money

:10:07.:10:14.

to come from and whether this will be enough to deliver 90 % of super-

:10:14.:10:19.

fast broadband? We have done a scientific study which we will be

:10:19.:10:24.

publishing shortly which shows the number of areas in each local

:10:24.:10:29.

authority area where there is to be either no access or slow access or

:10:29.:10:34.

there are areas where we think the market will not provide access. We

:10:34.:10:38.

know the costs involved in making that excess possible. We are

:10:38.:10:44.

confident that local-authority his will support this agenda, and like

:10:44.:10:51.

her own front bench. We had seven pilots in which local authorities

:10:51.:10:55.

have shown that enthusiasm, including Wiltshire which was

:10:55.:11:01.

mentioned earlier. We on this side were delighted that the Secretary

:11:01.:11:06.

of State has woken up to recognise that there is huge interest in the

:11:06.:11:13.

delivery of broadband services. Why then has he put back Labour's

:11:13.:11:19.

commitment to universal broadband by a for three years so that rural

:11:19.:11:22.

constituencies which are represented by the members opposite,

:11:22.:11:27.

we lose out in the race for growth and jobs by having a Government

:11:27.:11:32.

that doesn't commit to providing the right infrastructure? Many

:11:33.:11:38.

welcome the gentleman to the dispatch box. -- May I a welcome.

:11:38.:11:41.

The reason why we had to put it back three years is that there

:11:41.:11:48.

wasn't enough money in the could she. That is something the former

:11:48.:11:53.

Chief Secretary was prepared to write down. We haven't did just

:11:53.:11:56.

that moment, we have said we will deliver it within this Parliament

:11:56.:12:06.
:12:06.:12:06.

and we have gone further. It isn't about two megabytes. We want him to

:12:07.:12:11.

get behind his commitment to 90 % commitment to its super-fast

:12:11.:12:21.
:12:21.:12:23.

I have met with the chief executive of the Rugby Football League many

:12:23.:12:32.

talents and we have recently seen the video launch for the bumpy

:12:32.:12:42.
:12:42.:12:42.

World Cup. -- for the Rugby World Cup. Does the Minister agree that

:12:42.:12:48.

the World Cup gives an opportunity for us to promote a sport that is

:12:48.:12:53.

fairly friendly and in which there is little trouble off the pitch and

:12:53.:12:59.

where it is cheaper for families to access on the weekend? Does he also

:12:59.:13:04.

agree there is an opportunity to encourage visitors to some of our

:13:04.:13:09.

northern towns? Will he pledged to do all that he can to use the World

:13:09.:13:19.
:13:19.:13:22.

Cup in order to promote these tens? For -- to promote these players?

:13:22.:13:27.

For any major sports event is a fantastic opportunity to drive

:13:27.:13:34.

Lunny into the local economy. -- driver money into the local economy.

:13:35.:13:44.
:13:45.:13:51.

I am sure this will be a terrific success. There will be a forum for

:13:51.:13:57.

her for members to boost competitiveness and to remove be

:13:57.:14:03.

areas where appropriate. Bristol is to be home to one of these new

:14:03.:14:09.

local enterprise zones with a focus on creative industries. Will the

:14:09.:14:13.

focus be on practical assistance in making those enterprise zones a

:14:13.:14:20.

success? Will it deliver results on the ground? I was lucky enough to

:14:20.:14:25.

visit Bristol and the astonishing success of the creative industries

:14:25.:14:31.

there is a wonder to behold. We have set up four or five work

:14:31.:14:39.

streams which I hope will be relevant in Bristol. UK music has

:14:39.:14:48.

established that the industry generates �5 billion per year for

:14:48.:14:55.

its this country. Can the Minister assure the House that the work of

:14:55.:15:03.

the Creative Industry Council will set an increase? I recently met

:15:03.:15:11.

with important industry fears for two - a growth I recently met with

:15:11.:15:17.

-- I recently met with its important industry executives about

:15:17.:15:23.

this issue. For is the Minister aware of the devastating impact of

:15:23.:15:33.
:15:33.:15:43.

the cuts agenda uncreative industry? Is he aware for a special

:15:43.:15:49.

abroad is he aware as that he is bidding at risk -- is he aware that

:15:49.:15:53.

he is but think many creative industries at risk? The huge

:15:53.:15:58.

cultural vibrancy um this country is why I will be -- ing in this

:15:58.:16:08.
:16:08.:16:12.

country is why I will be going into Labour pool -- Liverpool. Does my

:16:12.:16:18.

honourable friend agree that one of the key determinants is the strong

:16:18.:16:22.

protection of intellectual property? Is he considering

:16:22.:16:30.

following the example of President Obama in appointing its... And does

:16:30.:16:38.

he agree that it is sending the wrong signal in the enforcement in

:16:38.:16:48.
:16:48.:17:00.

the action against piracy. I have met President Obama's South adviser

:17:00.:17:09.

and when these -- advisers on these issues. It's to continue the trend

:17:09.:17:16.

we need to make sure that the courses that we are teaching in our

:17:16.:17:20.

higher education establishments are truly robust. Will the Minister

:17:20.:17:24.

pledged to work with the education department to make sure that they

:17:24.:17:31.

are fully recognised and really worthwhile courses? In an earlier

:17:31.:17:39.

answer I praised Bournemouth University. I tried to make sure

:17:39.:17:43.

that our courses are fit for purpose and I would like to

:17:43.:17:47.

congratulate the people who worked on that project for their hard work.

:17:47.:17:52.

The government makes available around �2 billion to British banks

:17:52.:17:56.

to support the creative industries. Music industry representatives have

:17:56.:18:02.

told me that only two music companies have been successful in

:18:02.:18:09.

raising loans for and so one experienced music manager was on

:18:09.:18:19.
:18:19.:18:23.

Lee helped on his 9th attempt -- only held on his late attempt.

:18:23.:18:27.

understand the issue to which she is referring and I want to educate

:18:27.:18:30.

the banks on how these schemes cancer would music industries.

:18:30.:18:36.

There are important changes in the Budget which will help our creative

:18:36.:18:46.
:18:46.:18:49.

industries. I am just trying to get to the point. I would like to tell

:18:49.:18:57.

you that the TD's whichever is on track and is going extremely well.

:18:57.:19:07.

-- the television at switch over. Many of my constituents are

:19:07.:19:10.

concerned about the impending switch over in the northeast

:19:10.:19:16.

Midlands. Can the Minister assure my constituency that these issues

:19:16.:19:21.

have been addressed and that areas will receive the right regional

:19:21.:19:29.

news for their area which is not currently the case in some places?

:19:30.:19:39.

For in regards to regional news his consistency fair share grow

:19:39.:19:48.

constituency... The BBC has -- constituency... The BBC has had

:19:49.:19:55.

proceeded with Digital's whichever in a very smooth way - are groped

:19:55.:20:05.
:20:05.:20:08.

digital switch over. I -- digital switch-over. We know that the

:20:08.:20:18.
:20:18.:20:18.

digital switch over is a good thing but it is not a Utopia. Rupert

:20:18.:20:26.

Graves has a virtual monopoly not just of first -- were bought up for

:20:26.:20:30.

has a virtual monopoly. What is he going to do to make sure that my

:20:30.:20:36.

constituents get a fair deal was worked I would be happy to meet

:20:36.:20:46.

with the Honourable Gentleman to discuss coverage in South Wales.

:20:46.:20:51.

know that Mr Murdoch will have taking a note of Ofcom's

:20:51.:21:01.
:21:01.:21:11.

recommendations. I discussed... I have been talking about video games

:21:11.:21:21.
:21:21.:21:28.

in a report about power for growth. I do not have high-speed broadband.

:21:28.:21:32.

I am sure the minister will appreciate that is not what I was

:21:32.:21:42.
:21:42.:21:43.

looking for. He should be aware that many staff have gone to Canada.

:21:43.:21:48.

Will he we assure me and the house and our constituents that the

:21:48.:21:53.

assessments for creative industries will be carried out as a matter of

:21:53.:21:57.

priority before more harm is done to this very important industry?

:21:57.:22:04.

am reminded of your desire to crack through the bonnet paper. I

:22:04.:22:10.

congratulate the Honourable Member on his work in the video games

:22:10.:22:14.

industry. There had been measures in the Budget that will help the

:22:15.:22:21.

video games industry. I will continue with my vocal support of

:22:21.:22:31.
:22:31.:22:32.

that industry. I am currently considering responses to the

:22:32.:22:36.

consultation on undertakings and I will announce my decision when the

:22:36.:22:46.
:22:46.:22:51.

process is complete. It seems that there is unfit control of the

:22:51.:22:56.

British media. This is an issue about legally - record media

:22:57.:23:04.

plurality. I cannot discuss -- about legality. I cannot discuss

:23:04.:23:11.

these issues. I think he would be perhaps convinced by his own front

:23:11.:23:21.

bench. The Shadow Home Secretary has said that these issues are not

:23:21.:23:27.

relevant to the phone hacking issue. The Secretary of State promised a

:23:27.:23:31.

resolution to this matter on 25th April and we are still waiting.

:23:31.:23:37.

Does he understand that people think he has no integrity when he

:23:37.:23:43.

has taken the unprecedented step of personally overseeing negotiations

:23:43.:23:47.

covering the legal and financial arrangements involved in

:23:47.:23:51.

establishing Sky News as a stand- alone company? He is currently

:23:51.:23:56.

taking lessons in how to be a football referee. I assume he

:23:56.:24:04.

understands that the job of a referee is to be used for and not

:24:04.:24:09.

to help one of the teams bundle the ball over the line. -- useful.

:24:09.:24:13.

have been accused of rushing the decision and now I am taking as

:24:13.:24:19.

long as it takes because we want the right decision. I am not

:24:19.:24:22.

personally overseeing the negotiations. That is being done by

:24:23.:24:29.

Ofcom. I am receiving from them written advice which I will be

:24:29.:24:35.

publishing ended when it comes to the question of dithering, -- band

:24:35.:24:44.

when it comes to the question out dithering, I am still waiting to

:24:44.:24:50.

hear whether there is support for my decision or not. Is it not the

:24:50.:24:53.

case that the development of the media market in this country is

:24:53.:25:02.

such that newsprint and mobile platforms are coming together as a

:25:02.:25:07.

matter of drift of policy. Would it be wrong to hold that policy and a

:25:07.:25:14.

pose that development because of the hatred of a single individual?

:25:14.:25:21.

We want to have media policies that allow convergence. Our current

:25:21.:25:26.

television policy is an example of that. This particular issue is

:25:26.:25:31.

about media plurality. It is about making sure that no one has to much

:25:31.:25:41.
:25:41.:25:43.

power. That is the prism through which we have to look at it.

:25:43.:25:53.
:25:53.:25:57.

have had 140 responses to our Trust -- about our switch-over. Does he

:25:57.:26:07.
:26:07.:26:12.

agree with me that TV is successful in places like Brighton and Hove.

:26:13.:26:22.

agree with that. I met the publisher of a magazine in

:26:22.:26:28.

Brighton's -- in Brighton and this person has shown that he has an

:26:28.:26:38.
:26:38.:26:39.

interest in running a television station in Brighton. I would

:26:39.:26:43.

appreciate a bit of extra information. This has widespread

:26:43.:26:49.

support from local communities and universities. The only organisation

:26:49.:26:59.
:26:59.:27:02.

that is not supporting it is the Now the Secretary has been forced

:27:02.:27:06.

to abandon the national TV East buyer, his plans are in disarray.

:27:06.:27:14.

Does he agree that there would be serious ethical concerns a few

:27:14.:27:19.

words attempting to take fending from them for his vanity project?

:27:19.:27:25.

With these cuts, the BBC will only be required to spend �25 million of

:27:25.:27:30.

licence fee payers of money on supporting local TV if it can be

:27:30.:27:36.

proved to be sustainable and good value for money? For far from being

:27:36.:27:42.

in disarray, we published plans for 10 local TV stations. We were hoped

:27:42.:27:45.

-- we hope we would have trouble that number by the time this

:27:45.:27:51.

process is complete. ITV is capable of looking after itself they let

:27:51.:27:57.

him be consistent because his own Government was planning to take �40

:27:57.:28:02.

million from the licence fee to support two regional TV channels.

:28:02.:28:06.

We are taking much less money and we are going to get far more local

:28:06.:28:11.

TV stations. I would urge his backbenchers to encourage their

:28:11.:28:14.

front bench to get behind this initiative because their

:28:14.:28:22.

constituents will support this wholeheartedly. Any future bid for

:28:22.:28:31.

a FIFA World Cup is some time away. Probably not a bad thing. Probably

:28:31.:28:39.

not until 2013. I would expect there to be a far greater degree of

:28:39.:28:43.

transparency and accountability in Fifa before we can consider any

:28:43.:28:49.

future bid. Would he agree, without reform of Fifa to give it greater

:28:50.:28:54.

transparency, any England bid is likely to fail in the world of

:28:54.:29:00.

double-dealing and self interest that it has become under Sepp

:29:00.:29:05.

Blatter. I think it is clear from our

:29:05.:29:10.

experience of the last bid and what has happened to that it is an

:29:10.:29:16.

organisation in need of structural reform. The principles must govern

:29:16.:29:22.

that. The newly elected president has said -- has set a process in

:29:22.:29:26.

motion and until that is complete, I doubt we would consider a future

:29:26.:29:31.

bid. Accountability and transparency are an issue in

:29:31.:29:36.

domestic football. Does he agree that it is disappointing that the

:29:36.:29:41.

Premier League have withdrawn their funding for supporters direct, an

:29:42.:29:45.

organisation committed to transparency and football. He is

:29:45.:29:50.

quite right, transparency and accountability is an issue and we

:29:50.:29:55.

await the report from the Select Committee with interest. I am sure

:29:55.:29:59.

he will agree with me that the language used by the chief

:29:59.:30:03.

executive was phial of an entirely different order. It was acceptable

:30:03.:30:08.

from somebody who holds a position of that sort. There should not

:30:08.:30:12.

detract from the organisation generally. There is a meeting

:30:12.:30:21.

Scheduled for Friday and the hope that will come to a conclusion.

:30:21.:30:24.

We have protected funding for the World Service with an efficiency

:30:24.:30:28.

saving and accountability to Parliament will continue through

:30:28.:30:32.

the foreign affairs select committee. Does he agree with me

:30:32.:30:36.

that Britain's place in the world and Britain's contribution to the

:30:36.:30:41.

world is enhanced by the work of the BBC World Service? I have seen

:30:41.:30:47.

this in relation ship -- in relation to Somali land. Is he

:30:47.:30:51.

concerned about the fragility of the service world wide and what can

:30:51.:30:56.

he do to satisfy s that Parliament would be fully involved and that

:30:56.:31:06.
:31:06.:31:06.

the service is safe in his hands? - - satisfied at us. I think it is an

:31:07.:31:13.

incredible jewel in our crown. It the moving of the World Service

:31:13.:31:18.

directly into the core BBC has tremendous opportunities. Able

:31:18.:31:23.

strengthen the BBC World Service independence and allow for

:31:23.:31:28.

efficiency savings to be made which will mean that more can be invested

:31:28.:31:35.

in programming. It will mean that there are potential improvements to

:31:35.:31:41.

the television service which is long overdue. At aim is to reduce

:31:42.:31:46.

the administrative spend by the Department by 50 %. We have also

:31:46.:31:53.

reduced the pay bill by �3 million for a voluntary redundancy scheme

:31:53.:31:57.

and under the programme is in place to bring further savings. What

:31:57.:32:00.

Mathers have been brought in to expose further efficiencies that

:32:00.:32:06.

have not been identified. -- what measures. We keep everything under

:32:06.:32:13.

review. We have identified a number of particular points. They are

:32:13.:32:18.

ministers not using Government car service which will save �250,000 a

:32:18.:32:26.

year. Cutting spent on travel by a �30,000. We will continue to

:32:26.:32:35.

My right honourable friend, the Secretary of State, discusses his

:32:35.:32:45.
:32:45.:32:46.

is with his cabinet colleagues. The media training prop broke --

:32:46.:32:49.

programmes play an important role in rehabilitating prisoners. When

:32:49.:32:54.

we see these models, like the present media centre's project run

:32:54.:32:58.

by people in my constituency in Brighton Pavilion, we should be

:32:58.:33:02.

rolling them out more widely. We have talks to ensure their is a

:33:02.:33:12.
:33:12.:33:13.

national roll-out of those schemes? -- will he have. As a imagine that

:33:13.:33:18.

we will have more ideas on how we can encourage these programmes

:33:18.:33:28.

around the country. I am grateful. My department and the Arts Council

:33:28.:33:34.

continue to monitor the impact of the portfolio announcements. People

:33:34.:33:37.

and successful will continue to receive support during the

:33:37.:33:42.

financial year. This will allow them to look at alternative areas

:33:42.:33:50.

of support. Given that the cut of 74 % in arts funding this year for

:33:50.:33:54.

young people, committees and schools, can it Secretary of State

:33:54.:33:58.

tell the House what the Government is doing to widen access to arts

:33:58.:34:02.

and cultural activities for young people and under-represented

:34:02.:34:06.

groups? The Arts Council has proposals to continue to support

:34:06.:34:11.

cultural education in schools and we have asked the managing director

:34:11.:34:21.
:34:21.:34:26.

of Classic FM to build on his With permission, I will have much

:34:26.:34:30.

progress to report on our five priority areas over the next few

:34:31.:34:35.

weeks including broadband applications for local authorities,

:34:35.:34:40.

next steps for the awarding of local TV licences, pilots of the

:34:40.:34:44.

school games 2012, a policy to promote financial resilience for

:34:44.:34:51.

the arts. The House will want to congratulate Andy Murray on his

:34:51.:34:58.

success at Queen's on Monday and wish him success at Wimbledon.

:34:58.:35:02.

am sure the Secretary of State supports the idea that they will be

:35:02.:35:06.

an independent licences for all four parts of the UK. At the moment,

:35:06.:35:12.

how can he justify a effect that Scottish Television is not

:35:12.:35:16.

recognised as an independent producer and therefore is denied

:35:16.:35:21.

access to 25 % of the production available through the system? They

:35:21.:35:27.

are treated like other small independents. Surely it must be an

:35:27.:35:31.

in defend -- independent qualified producer. The only point I would

:35:31.:35:38.

make to him is the success of broadcasting industry has been

:35:38.:35:41.

based on the division between broadcasters and producers. That

:35:41.:35:45.

has benefits for Scotland as it does for the whole of the UK. Under

:35:45.:35:50.

our local TV programme, we hope to award many more licences for other

:35:50.:35:54.

areas. My honourable friend will be aware that the Government has been

:35:54.:35:59.

allocated 9,000 tickets for the 2012 Olympic Games. Will my right

:35:59.:36:01.

honourable friend reassure the House that none of those tickets

:36:01.:36:06.

will be provided as free perks either to Government employees in

:36:06.:36:12.

general or UK politicians in particular? I am happy to reassure

:36:12.:36:15.

my honourable friend about the details of those tickets. 3,000 of

:36:15.:36:20.

those have been allocated to staff SECC with the project. They will be

:36:20.:36:25.

purchased and are available through a ballot. 2,400 of those tickets

:36:25.:36:29.

are being made available to host towns and cities and will be

:36:29.:36:35.

purchased. 2,900 tickets will be made available to guests of the

:36:35.:36:37.

Government including international business guests and dignitaries, to

:36:38.:36:42.

make sure we secure an applicant -- economic level to the Olympics. 450

:36:43.:36:50.

tickets will be allocated as prizes in the school games to which 6,000

:36:50.:36:57.

schools have current League signed up. Thank you. I think the House

:36:58.:37:01.

will be grateful for the Secretary of State's clear expedition. I am

:37:02.:37:09.

sure that is widely publicised. I hope that the House will join me in

:37:09.:37:12.

welcoming to our proceedings today, a delegation from the Dutch Olympic

:37:12.:37:21.

Committee. As London prepares to welcome the world's to our Olympic

:37:21.:37:29.

Games next year, when he recognise the limited scope for the

:37:29.:37:34.

International Olympic Committee, to do more than issue at invitations

:37:34.:37:38.

to countries around the world, to the National Olympic committees of

:37:38.:37:46.

countries around the world? Will he give the sensitivity of what we

:37:46.:37:51.

would describe it -- described as pariah regimes, assure the House

:37:51.:37:55.

that all necessary and relevant diplomatic intervention will be

:37:55.:38:01.

taken at the appropriate time to prevent participation in the games

:38:01.:38:10.

of heads of such? I entirely agree with the vital marble lady. What

:38:10.:38:14.

was apparent yesterday in dealing with the Libyan regime, was how

:38:14.:38:18.

much easier it is to do with these situations if they are the subject

:38:18.:38:23.

of EU banning orders. It is a huge help if they are subject to the

:38:23.:38:27.

living sanctions. I would like to extend a welcome to the Dutch

:38:27.:38:33.

Olympic Committee. They are close allies of Alice in the cause of

:38:33.:38:39.

full bore reform and I hope they have a successful trip. -- allies

:38:39.:38:44.

of hours. Following the Public Accounts Committee hearing on Ofcom

:38:44.:38:50.

and thirties I gave him, can he confirm whether Ofcom will use

:38:50.:38:55.

present value estimates of long- term investments in their 22 when

:38:55.:38:59.

it/11 Annual Accounts and whether this will apply with the

:38:59.:39:06.

principles? I don't know so I will write to the honourable gentleman.

:39:06.:39:09.

Supporters direct haven't just been helping involvement in football

:39:09.:39:12.

clubs, they have been advising on the bid for the Walthamstow dog

:39:12.:39:18.

track in helping to involve the community. We he meet with me in

:39:18.:39:27.

how we can promote this and a range of sports. That is the first case

:39:27.:39:32.

we have had on dog racing. In the circumstances, the best thing to

:39:32.:39:36.

say is I would be delighted to meet the on ability and hear more about

:39:36.:39:46.

us. -- honourable lady. I welcome his comments in the broad band roll.

:39:46.:39:49.

Does he recognise the imbalance in a market where some people have

:39:49.:39:59.
:39:59.:40:01.

better access to better a band whiff. -- better band width? What

:40:01.:40:08.

really recognise -- what we recognise his there has to be a

:40:08.:40:11.

competitive market in broadband and it would be damaging for the

:40:11.:40:15.

broadband market if we didn't have a competitive market in mobile

:40:15.:40:20.

provision. Ofcom are working hard to structure the spectrum auction

:40:20.:40:25.

is to make sure that happens. he still believe in localism and if

:40:25.:40:30.

he does, why is he undermining local radio up and down the country,

:40:30.:40:36.

reducing morality? Why he's the attacking the third sector art

:40:36.:40:39.

organisations that are collapsing up and down the country because of

:40:39.:40:44.

lack of funding? For we are not. I don't know where he gets his

:40:44.:40:50.

information from. We published the media strategy for many years that

:40:50.:40:57.

gives away for what a thought for local radio stations. We are

:40:57.:41:01.

supporting community radio stations. With local arts groups, we have put

:41:01.:41:05.

in a big package to encourage and help arts organisations to be

:41:05.:41:11.

resilient in very difficult financial times. If the Crewe

:41:11.:41:16.

Alexander girls centre of excellence has a enviable record in

:41:16.:41:21.

producing first-class players. It has a reputation across the

:41:21.:41:25.

footballing community, built over many years. The FA has awarded

:41:25.:41:29.

their success by deciding to close the centre, leaving many gifted

:41:29.:41:34.

players and their parents feeling dumbfounded and devastated. Can he

:41:34.:41:41.

look into this matter urgently and take it up personally with that the

:41:41.:41:46.

chairman of the FA? I think that question gives me the opportunity

:41:46.:41:51.

that everyone will wish to undertake to wish the England

:41:51.:41:55.

football team good luck. As far as his question is concerned, I will

:41:55.:42:05.
:42:05.:42:07.

take it up if he sends me the The minister replied earlier to the

:42:07.:42:15.

Honourable Lady talking about the efforts to persuade the ISPs to

:42:15.:42:19.

create a system so that families can be protected from pornography

:42:19.:42:26.

on their computers. Is it not for them for him to use the stick of

:42:26.:42:30.

regulations so we can protect families from pornography flowing

:42:30.:42:36.

into the home? That is what we are doing. We are telling people that

:42:36.:42:40.

if they do not comply with measures we are bringing forward and we will

:42:40.:42:50.
:42:50.:42:54.

regulate. -- deal with that. Kennedy Mr update on who is going

:42:54.:43:00.

to benefit from the ticket share -- care and the minister update on who

:43:00.:43:10.
:43:10.:43:11.

is going to benefit from the ticket scheme? To there are tickets

:43:11.:43:17.

available for -- there will be some tickets made available if. I would

:43:17.:43:22.

like to think the minister for Creative Industries for having a

:43:22.:43:28.

protective -- productive meeting with meets about the trouble that

:43:28.:43:35.

UK musicians have been getting a visa and to go to the US. Will the

:43:35.:43:41.

Minister assure me that he will do everything he can to help with

:43:41.:43:47.

this? For I am sure that was a successful meeting and we are going

:43:47.:43:53.

to do everything weekend to idea out the bumps in the road. - never

:43:53.:44:03.
:44:03.:44:16.

everything we can to I and -- I agree that this is a celebration

:44:16.:44:22.

of world sport. It is important that where there are machines that

:44:22.:44:26.

we do not wish to invite to this country that there are sanctions to

:44:26.:44:31.

back that up. It is one of the ironies that the ban that was put

:44:31.:44:39.

in place in the 1980 Olympics... There were two people who did not

:44:39.:44:46.

abide by that and now they for are involved heavily with the Games.

:44:46.:44:54.

The BBC is in discussions about changes to the value test. He and

:44:54.:44:58.

the Minister assure me that no television channels will be allowed

:44:58.:45:05.

to close? I cannot give that guarantee because the BBC operates

:45:05.:45:08.

at an arm's length from the government and has editorial

:45:08.:45:13.

discretion as to what it does or does not do. When we negotiated the

:45:13.:45:20.

licence fee last October it was only understanding that the 16 %

:45:20.:45:24.

saving in real terms on the least since -- licence-fee was an

:45:25.:45:29.

efficiency savings and we were not expect the BBC to be unable to

:45:29.:45:39.
:45:39.:45:51.

offer any of its core services Outside the Secure eerie at the

:45:51.:45:58.

house hold a long leash on a residential flat at Rochester Road

:45:58.:46:04.

which has an annual rent of �440. There is a freehold property

:46:04.:46:09.

followed in the street that is used as her -- hostel style overnight

:46:09.:46:19.
:46:19.:46:19.

accommodation for staff and that is valued at �600,000. For I could

:46:19.:46:25.

press the Honourable Gentleman that given that we now have far few

:46:25.:46:30.

sittings End after the election we will have fewer colleagues -- and

:46:30.:46:34.

after the election we will have your colleagues then perhaps now

:46:34.:46:39.

would be the time to move the beds into the estate so we could make

:46:39.:46:45.

real savings. The commission is a very alive to seeking savings

:46:45.:46:49.

within the accommodation budget and there are a number of possibilities

:46:49.:46:55.

which may arise in the future and these are kept under active

:46:55.:47:05.
:47:05.:47:09.

consideration. It's for - a group the house sits for 139 days a year

:47:09.:47:15.

-- the house sits for 139 days a year. Members were encouraged to

:47:15.:47:20.

come on Monday evening and leave Wednesday night. If we are going to

:47:20.:47:25.

restore parliament to the fulcrum of our democratic process we must

:47:25.:47:29.

restore Thursdays to being a full business day. Does the Leader of

:47:29.:47:35.

the House agree? I certainly agree that the bash regret but they

:47:36.:47:40.

should be a part of the parliamentary week. -- that

:47:41.:47:48.

Thursday should be a part of the parliamentary week. My honourable

:47:48.:47:53.

friend has indicated that he would like my other honourable friend to

:47:53.:48:00.

be present. There is business on a Thursday that requires a division.

:48:00.:48:05.

There has been a good turn out by members of parliament. I do not

:48:05.:48:12.

agree with his view that the estate is not a fully paid day of the week.

:48:12.:48:17.

Surely the question put forward by my fellow member is about

:48:18.:48:21.

establishing when a day every week in the parliamentary calendar as a

:48:21.:48:26.

backbench day. That is helpful to the leader of the house and the

:48:26.:48:31.

business managers and the Government can schedule business

:48:31.:48:40.

around us as backbench business. Mike and the view is that it is the

:48:40.:48:45.

advantage -- my own view is that the house has the advantage of its

:48:45.:48:53.

current arrangements. In paragraph 214 it says that it could be left

:48:53.:49:02.

open to a process of negotiation as to which day of the week will be on

:49:02.:49:07.

devoted - rare crow which will be devoted to backbench -- which will

:49:07.:49:16.

be devoted to backbench business. Can I remind my Right Honourable

:49:16.:49:21.

Friend that during his thankfully unsuccessful bid for your seat, Mr

:49:21.:49:31.

Speaker, he wanted to move the being accused to Thursday himself.

:49:31.:49:38.

-- the Prime Minister's Questions to Thursday himself. I am grateful

:49:38.:49:43.

to my right honourable friend. When I was on the backbenches I could do

:49:43.:49:49.

some blue-sky thinking. My horizons are now more constrained. I say to

:49:49.:49:52.

my honourable friend that the Prime Minister is more than satisfied

:49:52.:49:57.

with the current arrangement for Prime Minister's Questions. Isn't

:49:57.:50:01.

the real reason that the leader cannot and its small time for a

:50:01.:50:05.

backbench business for give as the date for the end of the session is

:50:05.:50:10.

that the Government is running into trouble with its own legislation?

:50:10.:50:15.

The public bodies Bill has been defeated end he has often been

:50:15.:50:23.

defeated armed commissioners. -- defeated on the commissioners. Why

:50:23.:50:27.

does the Government not simply stop rushing into this ill-thought-out

:50:27.:50:36.

legislation and allow more scrutiny? That would improve the

:50:36.:50:41.

health bill. I would make no criticism from members opposite

:50:41.:50:44.

about the way we handle the parliamentary programme. We are

:50:44.:50:51.

given far more time than the previous government bid. We have on

:50:51.:50:55.

several occasions allowed two days on report for bills including this

:50:55.:51:01.

week. We have extended the session also the house has more time to

:51:01.:51:06.

consider the legislative programme. I entirely reject that we are

:51:06.:51:15.

rushing legislation through the house. My Right Honourable Friend

:51:15.:51:21.

and I have received no representation on the matter.

:51:21.:51:25.

think one of the problems that we have with opposition day debate is

:51:25.:51:33.

the late notification received both on the topic and the motion. This

:51:33.:51:36.

deprives the numbers on their sights of an opportunity to prepare

:51:36.:51:41.

speeches. Could he have a word with his opposite number to see how we

:51:41.:51:45.

might improve the procedure and help improve a debate on all sides

:51:45.:51:53.

of this house? I have to say that I think the Honourable Gentleman is

:51:53.:51:58.

absolutely right. It is a pin to the opposition to table the subject

:51:58.:52:06.

for debate immediately after the date is set. It would be a courtesy

:52:06.:52:10.

for the house to be given an appropriate length of time to know

:52:10.:52:20.

them, if they wish, to put forward amendments. Is the Honourable

:52:20.:52:25.

Gentleman satisfied with the amount of time that Labour get for

:52:25.:52:29.

opposition day. Surely all the time that was afforded to the Liberals,

:52:29.:52:39.
:52:39.:52:42.

why didn't have that come... We seem to get half a day every decade.

:52:42.:52:46.

The Honourable Gentleman might be right to -- like to look at the

:52:46.:52:49.

borders and suggest whether others may wish to change it. At the

:52:49.:52:59.
:52:59.:53:03.

moment we can only do as is required by standing order. Since

:53:03.:53:06.

the general election the Government has established a backbench

:53:06.:53:10.

business committee and increase the amount of time for a tub go

:53:10.:53:15.

questions and were making many more statements than the previous

:53:15.:53:18.

government. I think is the increased level of coverage of

:53:18.:53:23.

debates that we have seen in the media is testament to beat a local

:53:23.:53:32.

nature of this place. A key step in making proceedings were top goal

:53:32.:53:38.

would be to launched work topics on the floor of the house. What

:53:38.:53:48.

progress is being made on this issue? That is a good idea. My

:53:48.:53:51.

Right Honourable Friend will be writing shortly to the cheers of

:53:51.:54:00.

the backbench business committee seeking their views to on a short

:54:00.:54:10.
:54:10.:54:14.

days it's. We have seen better ago are there any plans for a question

:54:14.:54:21.

terms do not Basra road that do not have to go questions? --? Times

:54:21.:54:31.
:54:31.:54:36.

that do not have topical questions's -- questions? For we

:54:36.:54:39.

will always entertain requests in the future but there are no plans

:54:39.:54:49.
:54:49.:55:03.

to do so. I think the Honourable Gentleman has raised an interesting

:55:03.:55:06.

point and it is something that he might like to put to the procedural

:55:06.:55:16.
:55:16.:55:21.

committee were there consideration. It would be useful for them. This

:55:21.:55:25.

matter was last considered shortly before the 80,000 by general

:55:25.:55:31.

election. The House received advice that accounting -- before the

:55:31.:55:36.

general election. The House received advice and for that reason

:55:36.:55:41.

the charitable donation was not pursued and the assets were resold

:55:41.:55:46.

after having data are removed. I take my Honourable Friend for his

:55:46.:55:51.

response but is he aware that the House of Lords does allow the

:55:51.:55:55.

redistribution of equipment to charities? Would he ask the

:55:55.:56:01.

committee to reconsider its decision from 2007? I would like to

:56:01.:56:09.

point out that the total relating to redistributed equipment was

:56:09.:56:17.

�75,000. The House of Lords have a far less -- have far less equipment

:56:17.:56:21.

of far less that you and take a different view. We will consider

:56:21.:56:28.

the matter at the end of this Parliament. Curly all appears have

:56:28.:56:35.

access to some -- go quietly all peers have access to see some

:56:35.:56:40.

places in this house. The house have Lloyd's has a reciprocal

:56:40.:56:50.
:56:50.:56:51.

arrangement for a numbers in this house. For the Rees and

:56:51.:56:55.

administration would words on catering and retail services in the

:56:55.:57:00.

House make some recommendations for widening access to Piers especially

:57:00.:57:10.
:57:10.:57:33.

at dining rooms in lesser Used We have dedicated members of

:57:33.:57:37.

parliament for and another 100 Members would make life for their

:57:38.:57:41.

as elected members are very difficult. And as I understand

:57:41.:57:49.

these reports it is a suggestion rather than a full recommendations.

:57:49.:57:52.

Download Subtitles

SRT

ASS