Live Culture, Media and Sport Questions House of Commons


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day in Houses of Parliament at 11pm. Firstly, we have questions to the

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Secretary of State for culture media and John Whittingdale and his team

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of ministers. Order, order. Question to the

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Secretary of State for culture media and sport, Mister Kevin Hollinrake.

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With permission and without a group this with question number four. By

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the end of the thousands of engine 95% of homes and businesses in the

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UK will have action to superfast broadband and as the Prime Minister

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announced last month, by the end of this Parliament people will have the

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legal right to request a broadband connection matter where they live,

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we will consult on these plans which will put access to broadband or any

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similar footing to other basic services early next year. Thank you,

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Mr Speaker. I will come the universal service obligation to

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provide 10 megabytes of coverage to the whole country by 2020.

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Point-to-point wireless can provide a solution and talk to 30 megabytes,

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but they all -- organisations behind the societies will not invest

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because state aid will bring wireless to those committees and

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take away their customers, can you minister provide a solution to this

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conundrum? Can I commend my honourable friend

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on his advocacy for his constituents on the importance of them achieving

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superfast broadband as quickly as possible? The universal service

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obligation will provide a safety net but it will take some time to work

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out the details. Meantime, we would welcome all the various alternative

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suppliers to put forward solutions and it could be that those will be

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different solutions for different places.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker, part of my constituency have been suffering

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from poor fibre-optic broadband coverage from BT. Much-needed

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upgrades were meant to be in place in December last year, yet, we are

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having to beat... Pardon? We are having to wait until 2016 and 2017

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financial year at the earliest. Can the Minister tell me what we are

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going to stop broadband companies dragging their heels so that all

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businesses and residents can enjoy the services they should have?

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I can fully appreciate the wish of my honourable friend that there

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constituents have access to superfast broadband quickly. We are

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making progress on the second phase and we have passed an extra 3.3

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million premises and that will rise to 4 million by early 2016 and I can

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tell my honourable friend that by the end of the second phase we will

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expect to achieve 97% coverage within her constituency and we will

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work hard on the remaining small number of houses and obviously, they

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will have the possibility of the universal service obligation to rely

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upon. Those of us who have long held views

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and strong advocate views, welcomed the government's U-turn on this

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matter. A few weeks ago I was told by the ministers sitting next to him

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this was not possible, it was not government policy. I will take part

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in the consultation. Can the Minister indicate, will any new

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government money be made available either from the UK or Welsh

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Government or from the European Union?

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I would be surprised if what might until friend said Ray A92 that! He

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has been a leading advocate of the universal service policy, it will

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benefit his constituents just as it will every household in the

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country. The precise details of how the universal service obligation

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will work has still to be worked out and that will be easily include how

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it will be paid for and we will consult that in the coming time.

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Given the report that was published this week by Ofcom, which

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illustrated the differences in spite for broadband accessibility in

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Northern Ireland and the fact that Northern Ireland has 73% coverage

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compared to 88% in the rest of the UK, what action will be Secretary of

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State and his officials take to address this particular matter?

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I believe the Ofcom report showed there were a number of different

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causes for slower broadband, including Christmas fairy lights,

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but that is why they are making an application available to measure the

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speed of Wi-Fi. I can tell you that in Northern Ireland we expect by the

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end of the superfast broadband project that 87% of homes and

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businesses will be covered and the Northern Ireland government has

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received ?11.4 million for this BT project.

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In my constituency there are some easily accessible areas where

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superfast broadband is economic with viable, BT have received a huge

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amount of subsidy since 2010. That's my right honourable friend agree

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that this is unacceptable and we need to get this right and solve

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this issue? Well, I would tell you that we are

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making good progress. As I have mentioned, we are optimistic and we

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are confident that we will achieve the target of 95% by the end of

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2017. That leaves difficult areas however, and I would be happy to

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meet my honourable friend to discuss what more we can do to ensure that

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all of his constituents can from superfast broadband.

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Can the Secretary of State tell me what steps he is taking with other

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government departments to enforce broadband speeds, that is these

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questions are about superfast broadband but what constitutes that

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on the ground, as it were, it's a matter of dispute, because many

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providers tell you that they provide speeds to a certain number, what

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enforcement steps is he kidding? I have sympathy with the honourable

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gentleman and his concern that they advertise speeds are not always

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delivered in practice, we have spoken to Ofcom about that and we

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continue to do so regularly and they are carrying out a detailed research

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and making available an application to allow consumers to test whether

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they are achieving those speeds. The universal service obligation, which

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the question refers to, which is coming into place and it will

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require that all providers can supply at least 10 megabytes, that

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is the speed that Ofcom assesses as what business survey to be able to

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enjoy most normal applications. Mr Speaker, five years after the

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universal commitment of the Labour Party, without proper consultation

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about that with either Ofcom or industry, the Prime Minister

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magically makes available the universal service obligation out of

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thin air and the Minister, for whom I have the deepest sympathy, he is

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forced to depend -- pretended to some sort of strategy that they have

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looked at when they haven't, what the Chancellor is not in on this

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track because the comprehensive spending review does not mention

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this once. Does the Minister have any idea how much this will cost or

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is it just a sop for his backbenchers with their mail bags

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bulging with broadband complaints? It was a good try! I would tell the

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right honourable lady that we have made good progress and we have no

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past 3.3 million homes with the superfast scheme and we will achieve

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95% by the end of 2017. The universal service obligation is to

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allow those few remaining ones that do not benefit to have the legal

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right to require broadband. As to the costing of it, that is something

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we are in discussion with the industry about and with which we

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will consult on and we look forward to hearing all inputs on this

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consultation, including from the honourable lady.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am grateful for this question, it is an

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important issue, we improve access to culture and the arts and people

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from disadvantaged unities. I was delighted with the Autumn Statement

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from the Chancellor, which did not cut funding from the arts and

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heritage and I know that will be welcomed by the Labour Party because

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they were predicting doom and gloom. There are a number of schemes

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that help disadvantaged people but I want to work on this from my white

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paper in the New Year. Mr Speaker, the Arts Council will

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have over ?1.5 billion to support the arts over the next three years,

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it has been calculated that this 43% will be invested in London, compared

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to ?19 80 per head for the rest of the country. People in Dewsbury and

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the rest of Yorkshire feel let down. Will the Minister take action to

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improve funding and balance between London and the regions to ensure

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that everyone from this advantage communities get access to culture

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and the arts? My understanding is that tonight in

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Dewsbury at Crow nest Park they will be a fantastic free art event for

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families funded by the Arts Council. Another fund targets funding outside

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of London and more than half of the drugs for arts go to a quarter of

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the most deprived areas in England. I think that the Arts Council is

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doing a lot and we are doing more than under the last Labour

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government, we have massively increased the funding that goes

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outside of London which the Labour Party never addressed.

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Last Saturday evening my family and I attended the Lighthouse theatre in

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Kettering attended by the local Scouts group and it was a fantastic

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show, and given that the Scouts do so much, very good work with boys

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and girls in this advantage committee throughout this country,

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with the Minister like to take this opportunity to praise the Scout

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movement for the way in which they encourage young people to get

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involved in the arts in this way? I bet a lot to take this opportunity

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to praise the Scouts movement and to praise all of the volunteers and

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voluntary organisations that do so much for the arts. Their

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contribution should not be forgotten, we should not looked at

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those organisations funded by the Arts Council.

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On the issue of disadvantaged communities and their languages, the

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Gaelic language is the most endangered in these islands, why

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then in the Autumn Statement that the government withdraw its total

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direct UK funding of ?1 million? Can I ask him to reconsider?

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As the honourable gentleman knows full well, there were too one of

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grants in the last Parliament to support that important work and I

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think that those contributions have made a very viable difference but

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they were not annual grants going back into the past, they were 21 of

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grants supported by the then Chief Secretary.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker, does the Minister agree that the ?40 million

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commitment to the Discover England fund will help promote the arts and

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culture across Britain? Yes, I do and it is extremely

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important that that fund is coordinated with the arts and

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heritage funding that the Chancellor has kept stable for the next

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five-year is, if we combine the funding for arts, heritage and

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tourism we could generate some meaningful interjections across the

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UK. The Government's official annual

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figures, taking part, published in July, show there has been a marked

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decline in the percentage of young children participating in the

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activities including dance, music, theatre, drama, arts and crafts. In

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2010, more five to ten-year-olds were taking part, it is now just

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30%. Our access to arts and culture has gone backwards and has

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disproportionately disadvantaged young kids who have missed out.

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Museums have never received more visitors, arts organisations are

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thriving, and rather than criticising the arts, this is his

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opportunity to apologise for the appalling scaremongering he

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undertook this month, claiming that the arts were going to be cut by

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30%. He should apologise now at this despatch box. It is an odd request

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to be asked to apologise for the Government figures! I have

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highlighted the poor performance. More figures, these are real

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figures, not scaremongering, Ipsos MORI revealed that children of

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non-graduate parents spend fewer than three hours per week on

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cultural activity, compared to 80% of children from graduate parents.

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In the spending review last week, a 5% real terms cut, and the central

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grant of local government is being cut by a massive 56%. ?6.1 billion

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reduction by 2019-20, not exactly a course for a circuit of honour. What

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impact has the DCMS made about the impact of local government cuts made

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by this government on libraries, museums, galleries, theatres, that

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all rely on local councils? Well, Mr Speaker, I take the issue of access

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to the arts for all of our communities very seriously, which is

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why I support all of the scheme is the arts Council are taking. He can

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make a difference, he doesn't have to feel powerless on the opposition

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Bence, he can bring up Labour Lancashire and ask why they are

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withdrawing all funding from museums. -- opposition bench. Number

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three, Mr Speaker. I am grateful, Mr Speaker, for the chance to address

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this important issue. I am delighted over 50,000 firms around the UK have

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taken advantage of our broadband connection voucher, as well as more

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than 1000 public buildings. My constituents will have connections

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below the Cheshire average for superfast broadband. What steps can

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be taken to ensure that connecting Cheshire will be prioritised better

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with superfast broadband access for rural businesses and residents? My

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honourable friend is a fantastic advocate for broadband and her

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constituency, and I am very pleased that almost half of her constituency

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will benefit from our superfast broadband roll-out. Almost 15,000

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homes in her constituency have already been passed, but by the time

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the project is finished, more than 30,000 will have been passed. There

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won't be very many successful business parks where the highway

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stops short of the business park, people get out of the car and walk

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on foot to the business park. Can we apply the same logic to another very

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important highway? Broadband. And make sure that business parks are

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properly connected so that small businesses can thrive and prosper?

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There is no reason at all why business parks should not be part of

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the superfast broadband roll-out programme, but it is also important

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for business park owners providing services and charging rent to get on

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board and get broadband to the tenants as well. Question five, Mr

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Speaker. As the Prime Minister announced, by the end of this

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Parliament people will have a legal right to request a broadband

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connection no matter where they live, from a designated provider at

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a minimum speed up to a reasonable cost threshold. We will consult on

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these plans in early 2016. I want to thank the Minister for his answer,

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and thank the Secretary of State for meeting with me and being so patient

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with the queries I have had on this issue. Residents in Telford, in new

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build areas, and in historic iron bridge, they tell me they struggle

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daily with inadequate broadband. I would like to know when these

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residents can expect increased connectivity, the same as other

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people across the UK? Well, I can tell my honourable friend that the

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Telford and Wrekin project is set to deliver superfast broadband access

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to 98% of homes and businesses by the end of phase two, in 2017.

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However she is right to press us to ensure those few remaining

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constituents of hers who do not have access should obtain it. I can tell

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her that from this month they will have the right to a basic broadband

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service, two megabits per second, and then they will be able to take

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advantage of the universal service obligation when it comes into

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effect. I welcome the Secretary of State's statement, but what

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reassurance can he give me that the pace of the roll-out will be

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increased so that businesses in my constituency, such as XL group in

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Wareham, can have access to fibre? I can say to my honourable friend that

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we will achieve the 95% target by 2017, indeed we will then be able to

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invest more into going beyond that as a result of the contractual

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arrangements that we have achieved. And we will be putting in place the

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universal service obligation, which will benefit his constituents just

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as it will every other member's. It is all very well having the

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universal service obligation in place, and I do urge that it be

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brought in as quickly as possible, but the key question is what the

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definition is of affordable and reasonable? Can the Secretary of

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State confirmed that when it is introduced my constituents will be

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able to afford what is offered by the providers? Well, I would say to

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my honourable friend that the universal service obligation is a

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safety net to benefit those few remaining people who have been

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unable to access superfast. We are consulting on the precise details,

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and that includes the costing of it. We are discussing with the industry

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how it will be met, but I can assure my honourable friend that it is

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intended that it should be affordable to his and every other

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member's constituency. Question member's constituency. Question

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number six. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have regular discussions with the

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football authorities on a variety of issues, including the work of

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supporters associations, the expert working group set up by government

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has been looking at building support engagement. I received a copy of the

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report and it will go to the football authorities for approval by

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the boards. I am grateful for that answer from my honourable friend.

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We'll she join me in paying tribute to Crawley Town supporters Alliance

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for the charity work they do in terms of the Crawley Kicks were

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checked for young people? And also raising funds for chestnut tree

:19:32.:19:37.

Children's Hospital in Sussex? I share a TV region with my honourable

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friends so I share the ups and downs of his club alongside him! It is

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nice to be able to congratulate Crawley Town supporters Alliance on

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the label admirable community work. Supporters groups up and down the

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country make hugely valuable contributions to their communities

:19:55.:19:58.

as well as raising funds for their clubs. Football clubs are stronger

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when they work with supporters and in the best interests of the

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supporters. The Northern league was founded in 1889, it's the second

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oldest Football League in the country. It couldn't have survived

:20:12.:20:15.

without the commitment of the dedicated supporters and

:20:16.:20:20.

volunteers. A shining example is Mr Mike Amos, the chairman of the

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Northern league, retiring after 20 years this year. He has done a

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fantastic job, like lots of other volunteers across non-league

:20:30.:20:33.

football. Across this country. Will the minister join me in thanking the

:20:34.:20:37.

likes of Mr Amos, who give lots of dedication and commitment to

:20:38.:20:41.

non-league football, and wish him the very best together with his

:20:42.:20:46.

family for the future? Football is nothing without its fans and without

:20:47.:20:50.

volunteers and communities that it works in. It is extremely important

:20:51.:20:54.

that we celebrate and honour those who dedicate their lives in a

:20:55.:20:58.

variety of different ways to football, so I certainly join with

:20:59.:21:01.

the honourable gentleman and congratulate Mr Amos on all he has

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done to serve the Northern league. Could the minister just say when the

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report for the working group will be published? We were hoping it would

:21:12.:21:14.

be published at the end of last month. This morning we highlight the

:21:15.:21:19.

problems in the governments of world football, but there are still

:21:20.:21:21.

problems and concerns about the governments of football in this

:21:22.:21:30.

country too. -- the governance. If anything, I owe the honourable

:21:31.:21:33.

gentleman and apology because in response to the question last time,

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I said the report would be published before his bill tomorrow. I have

:21:39.:21:43.

received a copy of the report. It has been done by football for

:21:44.:21:46.

football, so it is only right that the football authorities that need

:21:47.:21:50.

to look through this are given the opportunity to do so. I expect that

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in the next three weeks in the in the next three weeks in the

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report to be published in January. Question number seven, Mr Speaker. I

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plan to publish the new cross departmental strategy for sport and

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physical activity before Christmas. Thank you very much. The Department

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figures show that children's participation has dropped under this

:22:15.:22:19.

government. The number of 5-15 -year-olds playing competitive sport

:22:20.:22:23.

outside school has dropped to 19%. Given my city has been awarded the

:22:24.:22:27.

European city of sport for next year, the great city of

:22:28.:22:30.

Stoke-on-Trent, when is the Government going to give us detail,

:22:31.:22:33.

stop talking and start delivering so my constituents can get the most out

:22:34.:22:38.

of next year? The honourable lady only has to wait a short time to see

:22:39.:22:42.

what the Government will be doing to deliver a brand-new policy on

:22:43.:22:46.

sport, making sure children participate in sport at a very early

:22:47.:22:50.

age, that is incredibly important. We know that if children develop a

:22:51.:22:57.

habit -- a habit for sport, it is something they will continue. If you

:22:58.:23:02.

can bear with us for a few days, hopefully she will get the answer in

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more detail. Mr Speaker, I know the minister is keen on increasing

:23:09.:23:13.

participation in sport. Is she aware of the work of an authority which

:23:14.:23:17.

does cycling for those with disability, but is concerned that

:23:18.:23:23.

activity levels are not being included in the government's

:23:24.:23:26.

activity standard, as it does not count as being sport? Too much focus

:23:27.:23:31.

is going on Italy Paralympic sport and not enough on activity levels

:23:32.:23:39.

for disabled sport? -- on Paralympic sport. The previous sports strategy

:23:40.:23:44.

relied only on two crude measurements around participation

:23:45.:23:48.

and medals. As I indicated previously when we have discussed

:23:49.:23:51.

this issue in the house, the new sports strategy will look beyond

:23:52.:23:54.

those measures and look to see what social value sport brings. That will

:23:55.:24:01.

mean that nobody should be prevented from participating in sport or any

:24:02.:24:07.

kind of physical activity. Minister, obviously any new strategy should

:24:08.:24:10.

involve the participation of more ladies and girls, are also the issue

:24:11.:24:16.

of obesity. Particularly at primary school level. What discussions has

:24:17.:24:22.

she had with the Health Minister to address that issue? I can reassure

:24:23.:24:27.

the honourable gentleman that I meet regularly with Ministers across all

:24:28.:24:32.

departments, but especially the Department for Health and education.

:24:33.:24:35.

The new sports strategy is a cross department will strategy that will

:24:36.:24:39.

deal with lots of different issues. We will make sure it will align

:24:40.:24:42.

carefully with what the Department of Health is doing in the long-term

:24:43.:24:47.

around combating obesity and childhood obesity. Mr Laurence

:24:48.:24:54.

Robertson. Question number nine, Mr Speaker.

:24:55.:25:00.

If I may one of all draw the House's attention to the written

:25:01.:25:05.

ministerial statement in the name of the Secretary of State in Parliament

:25:06.:25:10.

this morning, which confirms the 55th Levy has now been set. Despite

:25:11.:25:14.

this, the Government remains committed to replacing the current

:25:15.:25:17.

levy system to create a level playing field for British-based and

:25:18.:25:21.

offshore gambling operators. Work is continuing and we will make a

:25:22.:25:25.

further announcement in the due course. I am grateful to the

:25:26.:25:29.

Minister for that response. One of the proposals put forward by Racing

:25:30.:25:37.

sport is for a racing right. Could she tell us what work the Government

:25:38.:25:41.

has done in considering the proposal? If she is in need of more

:25:42.:25:46.

details from the industry with regards to that proposal? And what

:25:47.:25:49.

sort of timescale we might be talking about? The previous

:25:50.:25:54.

government undertook three consultations on this and we are

:25:55.:25:58.

committed to replacing the current outdated levy. Work is continuing

:25:59.:26:02.

and more detailed policy design is under way. We will make a further

:26:03.:26:04.

announcement in due course. Can I inform the minister there is

:26:05.:26:16.

growing concern in Scotland, including more sober racecourse

:26:17.:26:19.

regarding the delay in introducing the new horse racing right? Can I

:26:20.:26:26.

press the Minister on some form of timetable so that this industry

:26:27.:26:35.

knows where it is. -- mussel broth. It is a field piece of work and we

:26:36.:26:40.

want to get the lead it right. It is important for everyone make sure

:26:41.:26:45.

that racing continues to be strong, it is a huge economic contributor to

:26:46.:26:49.

the UK economy and therefore we want to make sure that we do things in

:26:50.:26:53.

the appropriate and right way. I should make people aware of my entry

:26:54.:27:00.

in the register of interests. ?130 million is the total prize

:27:01.:27:06.

winning in horse racing and bookies hand over almost ?200 million,

:27:07.:27:11.

nearly 50% more than prize money, is it not fair to say that bookmakers

:27:12.:27:16.

pay a fair price for the racing product and of -- that it was a

:27:17.:27:24.

problem that they turn down this money?

:27:25.:27:29.

I thank you for that question I know you take a keen interest in this

:27:30.:27:32.

matter. The 1 thing I can assure my honourable friend is that the issue

:27:33.:27:38.

around the levy discussions that take place, the voluntary

:27:39.:27:42.

contribution aspect was discussed within that and the Secretary of

:27:43.:27:47.

State makes that clear today. There is an issue with off-shore remote

:27:48.:27:51.

gambler is not contributing from the statutory perspective and that

:27:52.:27:55.

requires reform, if that does require reform, so we are looking at

:27:56.:28:00.

this in great detail. Mr Speaker, it is two years since on

:28:01.:28:06.

the site we forced the government to commit to introducing a racing

:28:07.:28:09.

right, to ensure that racing gets a fair return on all forms of betting

:28:10.:28:14.

that take place here in the UK, it is estimated that the industry is

:28:15.:28:19.

missing out on ?30 million each year. Could I press the Minister

:28:20.:28:21.

again, when can we expect a conclusion of the discussions on the

:28:22.:28:27.

horse racing right? Can she say what discussions he has had with the

:28:28.:28:30.

betting industry about a sports betting right for all sports that

:28:31.:28:34.

can be invested back into grassroots sport which began under the last

:28:35.:28:38.

Labour government? Well, I have made it clear and

:28:39.:28:44.

answered the question around the time frame, we have to look at this

:28:45.:28:48.

in detail and there is an economic evaluation taking place. In terms of

:28:49.:28:51.

the sports betting right, the government does not believe it is

:28:52.:28:55.

something that we should be introducing and has no plans to do

:28:56.:28:58.

so. The new model for horse racing will replace an existing arrangement

:28:59.:29:03.

for transferring funds from betting to horse racing.

:29:04.:29:11.

Number Ten, sir. Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am thrilled

:29:12.:29:17.

with the progress we are making on broadband and mobile coverage and I

:29:18.:29:22.

know that the front bench likes to mockingly, the Labour front bench,

:29:23.:29:24.

but it is interesting, for example... No, no...

:29:25.:29:32.

We love you, Edward! I just want to tell you very quickly

:29:33.:29:37.

at the International telecoms union which has seen the ranking of the UK

:29:38.:29:41.

rise from 10th position to fourth position in terms of broadband,

:29:42.:29:46.

overtaking Sweden, Holland, Hong Kong and Finland, and of course, the

:29:47.:29:53.

broadband score Bard -- the European broadband scorecard puts us in the

:29:54.:29:58.

top five, that is progress! Yes, progress but I am interested in

:29:59.:30:04.

Shropshire where I represent and there are outstanding issues. I hope

:30:05.:30:07.

that the Minister can give us assurances about the work taking

:30:08.:30:11.

place to improve infrastructure and the structure of that.

:30:12.:30:17.

And the electronic information code. Broadband roll-out in Shropshire is

:30:18.:30:23.

exceeding the number of Michelin stars in the honourable gentleman's

:30:24.:30:26.

own constituency, some 12,000 homes have been part of our broadband

:30:27.:30:32.

programme and he will get to 92% of his constituency and reform the

:30:33.:30:37.

electronic mutation scored to make the broadband roll-out faster,

:30:38.:30:42.

especially when we introduce our universal service obligation.

:30:43.:30:47.

Thank you, Mr Speaker for. A report published by Ofcom in August found

:30:48.:30:51.

that 24% of Scotland's landmass has no mobile signal and the Highlands

:30:52.:30:55.

and Islands Enterprise to be the worst area for 3G coverage in the

:30:56.:30:59.

UK. The 4G option to no account of the UK's span across the UK. What is

:31:00.:31:10.

he doing to ensure that 5G licenses are happening across the UK and does

:31:11.:31:13.

he agree that 5G could be part of the solution in rural areas?

:31:14.:31:20.

5G is some way off but we are investing in the research. He may be

:31:21.:31:25.

looking at our plans to clear the 700 megahertz spectrum which will

:31:26.:31:28.

provide better coverage. I know he will agree with me and applaud the

:31:29.:31:32.

deal that we did with mobile operators to get 90% geographic

:31:33.:31:37.

coverage I 2020 seven, but his interest from in our hearts.

:31:38.:31:47.

Question 11, Mr Speaker. What can I say except that we are

:31:48.:31:51.

committed to the Welsh language, we are committed to providing services

:31:52.:31:54.

in the Welsh language and we are also formally committed to S4C.

:31:55.:32:02.

Does my honourable friend, Mr Speaker, agree that S4C plays a key

:32:03.:32:11.

role in promoting the Welsh language in Wales? Does he understand the

:32:12.:32:14.

widespread disappointment that people in Wales feel that the DCMS

:32:15.:32:22.

contribution which was significantly due -- ridges and the Autumn

:32:23.:32:26.

Statement? I am afraid my glass is half full on

:32:27.:32:32.

this one, we secured ?84 million of funding in 2013 for S4C and that has

:32:33.:32:37.

remained stable Rodley for the lifetime of that parliament. If you

:32:38.:32:40.

take into account the contribution made by BBC News, S4C will receive a

:32:41.:32:46.

guaranteed income of some ?90 million each year, that is

:32:47.:32:49.

guaranteed income which any other media company and organisation apart

:32:50.:32:55.

from the BBC would cry out for. S4C is the only Welsh language

:32:56.:33:00.

channel that exists. That is a national treasure of the United

:33:01.:33:05.

Kingdom and of the government has a commitment to the Welsh language, it

:33:06.:33:09.

needs to stop cutting the income of the only Welsh language TV channel

:33:10.:33:14.

that we have, will he be considered -- will be please reconsider?

:33:15.:33:18.

This channel was brought in by the Conservative government and has been

:33:19.:33:21.

supported by the Conservative government and will continue to be

:33:22.:33:24.

so, but we have had to make difficult decisions about funding

:33:25.:33:29.

across all areas of government because of the catastrophic mess

:33:30.:33:31.

left by his government. In this -- in his general election

:33:32.:33:38.

manner faster, his party for Mister guaranteed defunding of S4C but it

:33:39.:33:42.

has received a further 20% cut recently. As the Minister aware of

:33:43.:33:47.

his Welsh history and what happened the last time of the broken promises

:33:48.:33:54.

by the Tories? Will he reconsider that S4C be adequately resourced?

:33:55.:34:02.

I continue to repeat, S4C is generously funded and supported by

:34:03.:34:04.

the BBC and will receive a generous grant from our department and it is

:34:05.:34:09.

more generously funded than any other media organisation in terms of

:34:10.:34:16.

the number of viewers it receives. Topical one, Mr Speaker, please.

:34:17.:34:25.

Since the last culture media and the questions, Adele's new album 25 has

:34:26.:34:29.

enjoyed record-breaking chart success. The latest Bond film is

:34:30.:34:33.

doing excellent business and we concluded our hosting of the common

:34:34.:34:37.

Rugby World Cup and Great Britain has won the Davis Cup! We have also

:34:38.:34:42.

seen the ability of sport to bring people together in an incredibly

:34:43.:34:46.

powerful moving week in the England versus France game at Wembley. The

:34:47.:34:51.

positive impact of the many areas sponsored by my department on

:34:52.:34:55.

culture and well-being were reflected and recognised in the

:34:56.:34:57.

Spending Review. Will the Secretary of State to join

:34:58.:35:03.

me in congratulating rugby league star Kevin Sinfield on being short

:35:04.:35:07.

listed for BBC Sports Personality of the Year? Following the Autumn

:35:08.:35:12.

Statement, will he tell us how the government is supporting rugby

:35:13.:35:15.

league and the bed for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021?

:35:16.:35:23.

Mr Speaker, I would like to congratulate all 12 contenders for

:35:24.:35:26.

the Sports Personality of the Year, however, you may be aware that there

:35:27.:35:32.

are some fans of Leeds Rhinos two Inwood department, one who is not

:35:33.:35:36.

sitting too far from the, and I am sure she will be very vocal in

:35:37.:35:39.

supporting Kevin Sinfield! With regards for the Rugby League World

:35:40.:35:46.

Cup, two years ago at 2/200 and ?50,000 -- fans, and generated a lot

:35:47.:35:55.

of money. Officials are due to meet shortly to discuss that World Cup

:35:56.:36:00.

bid. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

:36:01.:36:04.

Immigration Bill seems to make it harder and harder for people in the

:36:05.:36:09.

creative industries, calling others to work with people across the

:36:10.:36:13.

globe. As the Secretary of State considered the benefits of our

:36:14.:36:17.

greatest industries of a new short-term visa and police bid to

:36:18.:36:20.

the Home Secretary about this possibility?

:36:21.:36:24.

You have raised a very important topic and we have a close

:36:25.:36:26.

relationship with the Home Office and we keep in close contact on them

:36:27.:36:31.

on this issue, working with organisations we have reformed

:36:32.:36:37.

immigration rules to provide people in this country with the right

:36:38.:36:40.

skills and we will continue to work with the Home Office on this issue.

:36:41.:36:45.

The Minister will be delighted to know that last night Telford Home

:36:46.:36:52.

Park was announced as the UK's best part. Can the Minister join me in

:36:53.:36:56.

congratulating all of those involved, particularly Hollands

:36:57.:37:01.

would and the local parish council, friends of the spark and the local

:37:02.:37:06.

council for the important work that they do?

:37:07.:37:12.

This is indeed excellent news for the people of Telford and I

:37:13.:37:14.

congratulate everyone involved who won this award. -- Park. Urban parks

:37:15.:37:20.

are vital to provide opportunities for people to get active in the

:37:21.:37:23.

fresh air and it is important that we protect them for the benefit of

:37:24.:37:27.

local communities. As become within two days of small

:37:28.:37:31.

business Saturday, the Minister will be aware of the 350 production

:37:32.:37:37.

companies, including a large number of medium and small sized

:37:38.:37:41.

businesses. Can the Minister and the Secretary of State ensure is that in

:37:42.:37:45.

the event of any privatisation of channel for the livelihood of these

:37:46.:37:48.

important small businesses will not be threatened by the desire to

:37:49.:37:51.

centralise and nationalise to save money? -- Channel 4.

:37:52.:37:57.

Ayshire share the honourable gentleman's admiration in supporting

:37:58.:38:03.

our creative industries and I am trying to make sure Channel 4 has a

:38:04.:38:07.

sustainable and viable future and continues to deliver its remit. With

:38:08.:38:15.

regard to the ownership layers, no option has been taken but we're

:38:16.:38:18.

looking at different ones, including one put forward by the management of

:38:19.:38:21.

Channel 4. Whatever decision we reached it will be to ensure that

:38:22.:38:25.

Channel 4 makes a considerable contribution to our great economy.

:38:26.:38:31.

I am grateful for the blog that has been undertaken to review the case

:38:32.:38:37.

for greater integration of sports and recreation. Can make on the

:38:38.:38:41.

House what steps are being done to promote outdoor recreation to

:38:42.:38:46.

promote tourism in Macclesfield and across the country?

:38:47.:38:51.

Outdoor activity is a hugely important part of the tourism in

:38:52.:38:57.

rural areas across the UK and total annual tourism spending attributed

:38:58.:38:59.

to leisure activities across Britain is phenomenal. Of course, it is a

:39:00.:39:06.

key strand and strategy going forward but as the Minister for

:39:07.:39:10.

Prisons as well, it mixes in nicely with the other activities we are

:39:11.:39:14.

doing. Mounting evidence of BBC and its

:39:15.:39:18.

licensee of inhibiting the ability of retailers to develop online, the

:39:19.:39:23.

Minister is required to water down his antipathy towards this, can he

:39:24.:39:29.

do it may be that prevents hotting non-licensee funded media?

:39:30.:39:36.

Ayshire do concern about local newspapers which play a vital role

:39:37.:39:40.

in democracy. I welcome the fact that discussions have been taking

:39:41.:39:43.

place between media groups and the BBC and to determine what the BBC

:39:44.:39:47.

might do to assist local newspapers. I understand good progress has been

:39:48.:39:52.

made on that and I hope that the BBC will therefore be able to play its

:39:53.:39:58.

part in recognising the contribution local newspapers make to news

:39:59.:40:00.

provision and giving them some recompense for that.

:40:01.:40:04.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, with the highly successful Westminster gaming

:40:05.:40:09.

event earlier this month, would my rig honourable friend agree with me

:40:10.:40:13.

that the computer programming and gaming are viable options for many

:40:14.:40:17.

young people in terms of careers and our local communities?

:40:18.:40:21.

You make an excellent point, not only about the syntax that broadband

:40:22.:40:27.

roll-out in Cornwall but also the games economy that exists in the

:40:28.:40:30.

south-west, but also the games economy that exists in the

:40:31.:40:33.

south-west, whether we or other games manufacturers. As is

:40:34.:40:39.

accessible person who rolls out broadband, I wholeheartedly agree

:40:40.:40:44.

with both elements of his question. I can not let the Minister get away

:40:45.:40:48.

with his comments on S4C. In the month of May, the Conservative

:40:49.:40:52.

manifesto said they would safeguard the funding of S4C. How does the

:40:53.:40:56.

statement of the Chancellor last week safeguard the funding of S4C

:40:57.:41:00.

along the lines of his manifesto commitment?

:41:01.:41:05.

It will receive funding from this department and from the BBC and will

:41:06.:41:08.

continue to be the most generously funded media country -- dumping in

:41:09.:41:12.

the country in terms of the number of yours it gets.

:41:13.:41:17.

Mr Speaker, in September a new memorial to the miners that lost

:41:18.:41:20.

their lives in the local pets was unveiled. On Saturday night one of

:41:21.:41:26.

the four statues was severely damaged by a driver who crashed into

:41:27.:41:29.

it and fled from the scene. Will my right honourable friend join me in

:41:30.:41:32.

condemning the action of this callous individual and if possible,

:41:33.:41:38.

could government support be made available for the renewal of local

:41:39.:41:43.

memorials? -- pits. I share the feelings of my

:41:44.:41:46.

honourable friend and I was concerned to hear about the damage

:41:47.:41:49.

done to the memorial of the miners who lost their lives, not

:41:50.:41:53.

particularly because it came so soon after more than 2000 people lined

:41:54.:41:58.

the streets of the town to unveil that in September. I am sure the

:41:59.:42:01.

whole house would join me in condemning the actions of the person

:42:02.:42:08.

responsible. My ministers in this department are looking into that and

:42:09.:42:13.

if they care is with a local charity, they can benefit from the

:42:14.:42:16.

VAT on that. If the Government are serious about

:42:17.:42:25.

opening up the culture and arts to disadvantaged communities, can the

:42:26.:42:29.

Secretary of State explain to my constituents why the London museums

:42:30.:42:34.

are getting ?150 million announced in the Comprehensive Spending

:42:35.:42:37.

Review, ?100 million for a new arts complex in Battersea, yet Hull, the

:42:38.:42:43.

UK city of culture in 2017, is getting a share in ?1 million

:42:44.:42:47.

allocated by the Chancellor? How does that work? As somebody who has

:42:48.:42:53.

been to Hull twice to see what is going on, it is fantastic to see the

:42:54.:42:56.

improvements. The Labour front bench can mock what is going on in Hull

:42:57.:43:00.

and the people of Hull will see them laughing at the efforts being made

:43:01.:43:05.

by people in Hull to produce a great capital of culture. But she won't

:43:06.:43:09.

mention the ?78 million for the factory in Manchester and she won't

:43:10.:43:14.

point out that the ?150 million get storage out of Blyth house is to get

:43:15.:43:18.

those objects out of London to the regions. So I welcome Hull even if

:43:19.:43:23.

Labour condemned Hull as the capital of culture. The Minister is an

:43:24.:43:29.

exceptionally excited fellow this morning. I don't know what he or the

:43:30.:43:34.

honourable gentleman for Wolverhampton in the south-west had

:43:35.:43:37.

for breakfast this morning, but I think they should probably take care

:43:38.:43:43.

to avoid it. INAUDIBLE.

:43:44.:43:52.

It seems a very worthwhile cause, and what the Government bid to

:43:53.:43:55.

safeguard and support public sculpture... I feel strongly about

:43:56.:44:01.

this issue, Mr Speaker, but I will try not to get too overexcited about

:44:02.:44:06.

it. I was very pleased to secure the future of the Henry Moore sculpture

:44:07.:44:10.

on Abingdon Green, as well as campaigning to keep the Henry Moore

:44:11.:44:15.

sculpture from being sold by Tower Hamlets. And also the Hepworth

:44:16.:44:19.

sculpture that was going to be sold by a shopping centre. So I will

:44:20.:44:22.

support any public campaign that keeps a sculpture where it is meant

:44:23.:44:28.

to be. Last but not least, Mr Greg Mulholland. I am also delighted at

:44:29.:44:33.

the nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Leeds

:44:34.:44:40.

legend Kevin Sinfield. But also by Otley cycling world champion Lizzie

:44:41.:44:44.

Armitstead. With the popularity of cycling, will the Government and

:44:45.:44:47.

DCMS get behind making the tour of Yorkshire a four-day event to build

:44:48.:44:51.

on the huge success it has been last year?

:44:52.:44:58.

As I said earlier, I congratulate all those who have received

:44:59.:45:04.

nominations for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. It is a

:45:05.:45:10.

testament to how many successful sportsmen we have in this country,

:45:11.:45:14.

and sports women, that the line-up is so strong this year. In terms of

:45:15.:45:20.

the cycling tour in the north, it is something I am strongly aware of,

:45:21.:45:26.

and we will certainly consider. Questions to the Leader of the House

:45:27.:45:31.

and to the honour roll member for Carshalton and Wallington,

:45:32.:45:33.

representing the House of Commons commission. -- the honourable

:45:34.:45:40.

member. Mr Martin Day. With permission, Mr Speaker, I will

:45:41.:45:43.

answer this question and question six together. Sitting hours are

:45:44.:45:48.

decided by the House and reviewed by the siege committee, and decisions

:45:49.:45:51.

made by honourable members following

:45:52.:45:53.

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