:00:00. > :00:00.forget to join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses of Parliament
:00:00. > :00:00.at 11pm tonight. First, questions to the Culture Secretary, John
:00:07. > :00:12.Whittingdale and his ministerial team. Culture, media and sport. Mr
:00:13. > :00:24.Metcalfe. All are First World War programmes
:00:25. > :00:31.are designed to encourage children and young people, including the
:00:32. > :00:35.great tours. Only last week young people had a prominent role in our
:00:36. > :00:41.commemorations to commemorate the Battle of Jutland. On the 30th of
:00:42. > :00:45.June one of July we will celebrate the centenary of the Battle of the
:00:46. > :01:00.Somme and young people will play a key role at events at Westminster
:01:01. > :01:04.Abbey. The project commemorating the 100 anniversary of the Battle of the
:01:05. > :01:08.Somme is getting young people from across Basildon thinking of the
:01:09. > :01:10.important events of 100 years ago. What my right honourable friend
:01:11. > :01:15.encourage me in joining more young people to get involved in
:01:16. > :01:18.commemorating the Battle of the Somme by calling all remaining
:01:19. > :01:24.schools in Basildon to sign up to this project so that students can
:01:25. > :01:28.benefit from its opportunities. I am delighted to hear the fantastic work
:01:29. > :01:32.in his constituency and of course endorse all efforts to encourage
:01:33. > :01:37.people to engage with the programme and discover their history. Young
:01:38. > :01:39.people can also get involved in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
:01:40. > :01:45.living memory project in their local area and find out about events near
:01:46. > :01:50.them that are part of the Imperial War Museum centenary partnership.
:01:51. > :01:54.It is important young people engage with the commemorations, but it is
:01:55. > :01:58.also important we in this house seek to engage with the commemorations as
:01:59. > :02:02.well. I wonder if the Minister shares my concern, just a few weeks
:02:03. > :02:06.ahead of the 100th anniversary for the centenary of the Battle of the
:02:07. > :02:10.Somme we don't have a planned moment here to debate this in this house.
:02:11. > :02:14.If he does agree with me, and I know is concern shared widely across the
:02:15. > :02:18.House, could he used his office to raise this issue with the Leader of
:02:19. > :02:22.the House so members of the House can have that moment here to reflect
:02:23. > :02:24.on that important moment in our history?
:02:25. > :02:29.I thank the gentleman and endorse his comments on well have a word
:02:30. > :02:34.with the Leader of the House and Mr Speaker will. I would certainly back
:02:35. > :02:38.that. Would my honourable friend ensure
:02:39. > :02:43.when the First World War is commemorated too much emphasis is
:02:44. > :02:49.placed on the set piece battles? The truth is, on average every day
:02:50. > :02:54.during the First World War, every day, 450 servicemen lost their
:02:55. > :02:58.lives. That is equivalent to all the losses in Afghanistan. That was not
:02:59. > :03:02.just a few set battles, it was every day over four years.
:03:03. > :03:08.My honourable friend makes a very good point and therefore we are
:03:09. > :03:13.funding, giving funding for communities to explore first war
:03:14. > :03:18.history through the lottery fund as well as the war memorial 's trust.
:03:19. > :03:24.We are very much aware that local communities should be celebrating,
:03:25. > :03:27.commemorating and looking at the whole aspect of their local
:03:28. > :03:34.communities, to highlight what happened and to remember those who
:03:35. > :03:37.served and gave their lives. I thank the Minister for
:03:38. > :03:41.acknowledging the contribution of young people in Orkney to the Battle
:03:42. > :03:46.of Jutland commemorations last week for which he was present. Is not the
:03:47. > :03:51.lesson of this, surely, that involving young people makes it
:03:52. > :03:55.meaningful and poignant the people of all ages? And if we want to
:03:56. > :04:00.engage young people, involve them, don't lecture them.
:04:01. > :04:06.I was still I did to be in the right honourable gentleman's constituency
:04:07. > :04:09.with the commemorations and to experience the moving ceremonies
:04:10. > :04:15.that took place in commemoration of a sudden scenery. I think it is
:04:16. > :04:18.important we engage everybody, but particularly young people. --
:04:19. > :04:26.commemoration of the centenary. I welcome the work people are doing
:04:27. > :04:31.to engage young people, allowing them to understand suffering and
:04:32. > :04:37.sacrifice. But what steps the Department doing to understand the
:04:38. > :04:43.implications of World War I? The redrawing of boundaries in the
:04:44. > :04:47.Middle East? I think it is very important we get
:04:48. > :04:52.across the whole aspect of this. What he said is very important. Our
:04:53. > :04:56.determination is to focus, at the moment, on the particular events we
:04:57. > :05:01.are commemorating, but wider to get people, young people in particular,
:05:02. > :05:05.aware of the history of the 20th century, of war, of the experience
:05:06. > :05:12.people had and the tragedy of war. Would the Minister congratulate
:05:13. > :05:16.everyone who has been involved, particularly pushing the involvement
:05:17. > :05:19.for the rest of the world? For Northern Ireland, Ireland, the
:05:20. > :05:24.Indians, the Africans and all who were part of it, so children when it
:05:25. > :05:30.was including most areas of the world, an awful price paid by men?
:05:31. > :05:34.Indeed, I think it is very important the Empire, the Commonwealth, the
:05:35. > :05:39.contributions all parts of the communities in the four nations and
:05:40. > :05:41.our own country and the Commonwealth and in particular the Indians, the
:05:42. > :05:45.Canadians and Australians on the rest of them. It is a whole aspect
:05:46. > :05:53.and what we're trying to do is make sure we will be doing that at the
:05:54. > :05:59.bottom of the Somme commemorations. Thank you Mr Speaker. Criminal
:06:00. > :06:03.receding is connected to the subject matter of the Leveson Inquiry,
:06:04. > :06:08.including the appeals process, have not yet completed. We have always
:06:09. > :06:12.been clear these cases must conclude before we consider part two of being
:06:13. > :06:15.quiet river. I'm grateful to the Secretary of
:06:16. > :06:19.State for that answer. Can I pin him down? Are we talking about when
:06:20. > :06:24.criminal proceedings are finished there will be a part two, or there
:06:25. > :06:28.might be? As he told the House on March the 3rd it is a decision about
:06:29. > :06:34.or Leveson Inquiry will take place afterwards.
:06:35. > :06:37.This is something we need to consider in detail once those cases
:06:38. > :06:42.have been concluded. There still areas which were not fully explored
:06:43. > :06:46.in the original inquiry. There have been events since the original
:06:47. > :06:50.inquiry, not least the proceedings in the courts. All of these matters
:06:51. > :06:56.will need to be taken into account when we consider how best to proceed
:06:57. > :06:59.after the conclusion of those cases. The Secretary of State was one of
:07:00. > :07:05.three chairs of select committees, including myself, who went to see
:07:06. > :07:09.the Prime Minister, was given a cast-iron guarantee we would have a
:07:10. > :07:13.part two. I accept what he says about terminal proceedings. This is
:07:14. > :07:17.exactly what the Home Secretary said on the 16th of December, but there
:07:18. > :07:21.is no reason why we shouldn't have a timetable to prepare for the
:07:22. > :07:25.eventuality. These can't go on for ever, even in our criminal justice
:07:26. > :07:29.system. There has to be an end. Can we not have a timetable and the
:07:30. > :07:33.selection of the head of the inquiry so we can begin that very important
:07:34. > :07:36.process? I am delighted to hear that the Home
:07:37. > :07:40.Secretary and I are singing from the same hymn sheet on this matter. I
:07:41. > :07:45.have talked to her about it. That was at a time when we thought it
:07:46. > :07:48.looked as if the cases were going to come to a conclusion in the
:07:49. > :07:53.reasonably near future. Unfortunately, or at least
:07:54. > :07:59.fortunately or unfortunately, new cases were brought and those are the
:08:00. > :08:03.ones which haven't even started in some cases yet. I think it is very
:08:04. > :08:07.difficult to put a timetable on it. I agree with the honourable
:08:08. > :08:11.gentleman, it cannot go on indefinitely, but it is all ready
:08:12. > :08:20.going on longer than was initially anticipated.
:08:21. > :08:24.The Prime Minister's 5-point plan for tourism sets out how this
:08:25. > :08:27.government will help grow the tourism industry. 2015 set new
:08:28. > :08:31.records for inbound visits and spend but we are not complacent. To
:08:32. > :08:36.further boost tourism in England the Chancellor announced a new ?40
:08:37. > :08:38.million discover England fundamentals of all visitors in
:08:39. > :08:44.discovering even more of England's hidden gems.
:08:45. > :08:50.The Minister may be aware of many of the great tourist attractions in
:08:51. > :08:54.Lancashire, including the Castle, the stunning boat views over
:08:55. > :08:59.Morecambe Bay and the forests of Poland. Does he feel the tens of
:09:00. > :09:03.thousands of jobs supported by tourism in my area helped or
:09:04. > :09:11.hindered by the potential threat of fracking Wells appearing in North
:09:12. > :09:15.Lancashire? I very much share the honourable lady's appreciation of
:09:16. > :09:22.the beauties of the coast in the north-west of this country. Fracking
:09:23. > :09:25.does offer terrific opportunities, in terms of accessing further
:09:26. > :09:30.low-cost energy, and I don't believe it should represent any threat to
:09:31. > :09:34.the tourism industry. Whilst I hear perhaps I could take advantage of
:09:35. > :09:40.this moment to pay tribute to the fantastic work of the Minister for
:09:41. > :09:46.tourism, my honourable friend the Bexleyheath. He has done a great
:09:47. > :09:53.job. We look forward to welcoming the return of our colleague shortly,
:09:54. > :09:59.but my friend has done a fantastic job and no doubt will continue to
:10:00. > :10:01.advocate sports, tourism and heritage in the extremely effective
:10:02. > :10:07.way years been doing for the last few months.
:10:08. > :10:11.Our coastal communities are particularly important to the
:10:12. > :10:15.tourist sector. There are also the communities that have been affected
:10:16. > :10:20.by men of the EU over the last 40 years. The initiative is the
:10:21. > :10:24.Secretary of State mentioned a few moments ago, can he give an
:10:25. > :10:30.assurance they will be directed particular coastal communities?
:10:31. > :10:34.I share a lot of my honourable friend's views about our membership
:10:35. > :10:37.of the EU though I have to say don't think membership of the EU has a
:10:38. > :10:42.great bearing on to rhythm. People come to this country because of our
:10:43. > :10:46.fantastic heritage, wonderful landscape, arts, sport and not
:10:47. > :10:49.because we are members of the European Union. The north-west has
:10:50. > :10:56.many attractions. I hope the north-west will take advantage of
:10:57. > :11:01.the England fund I discovered described earlier, to raise
:11:02. > :11:05.awareness of the many attractions England has outside of London. As my
:11:06. > :11:10.honourable friend and the honourable lady have said, a lot of those are
:11:11. > :11:14.in the north-west. As a Secretary of State had any recent discussions
:11:15. > :11:19.with the Northern Ireland executive about tourism Ireland, which is the
:11:20. > :11:22.strange body which is responsible for marketing the Irish Republic and
:11:23. > :11:26.Northern Ireland overseas? There is a concern in Northern Ireland about
:11:27. > :11:32.Northern Ireland's identity being lost and not being able to benefit
:11:33. > :11:34.from the tourists coming into England, coming on to Northern
:11:35. > :11:39.Ireland which has a tremendous tourism offering.
:11:40. > :11:47.I am aware of these likely defeat -- different arrangements in Northern
:11:48. > :11:50.Ireland. I haven't spoken to the minister responsible in that I think
:11:51. > :11:54.he's only just arrived but I look forward to meeting him in due course
:11:55. > :11:59.and it's certainly a matter I'd be happy to speak to him about at that
:12:00. > :12:04.time. I joined the Secretary of State in applauding the success of
:12:05. > :12:08.36.1 million inbound visitors last year. The Secretary of State will be
:12:09. > :12:14.aware that 67% of those visitors are from the EU and 74% from other
:12:15. > :12:17.European countries overall. I was wondering if I could get the
:12:18. > :12:26.Secretary of State in joining me in saying, thank you, Europe, and
:12:27. > :12:30.please come more and spend more. I am extremely happy to you during my
:12:31. > :12:35.honourable friend in saying that. In my own view, this country would
:12:36. > :12:39.prosper better outside the European Union but that does not in anyway
:12:40. > :12:44.have any reflection on my attitude towards our fellow citizens in
:12:45. > :12:47.Europe coming to visit us in the UK and I hope they will continue to do
:12:48. > :12:58.so in ever increasing numbers whether or not we are in the
:12:59. > :13:02.European Union. We have had now the full year domestic and inbound
:13:03. > :13:05.figures for 2015 and I have to say it is really good news on both
:13:06. > :13:08.fronts, as we have already heard from a right honourable friend the
:13:09. > :13:10.Secretary of State, but there is really good news on domestic
:13:11. > :13:19.terrorism that the number of overnight trips in the UK with --
:13:20. > :13:24.reaching 117 million, up 14% in 2014. The spend is a new record of
:13:25. > :13:29.billions of pounds and we continue to grow both domestic and foreign
:13:30. > :13:40.tourist numbers in this country in this coming year. What support can
:13:41. > :13:47.the Minister give to the Derbyshire cycleway, bringing not only safer
:13:48. > :13:51.cycling for all ages but encouraging much-needed local and international
:13:52. > :13:58.terrorism in the local area? I give my full support to the day Valley
:13:59. > :14:03.cycleway, and excellent steam to -- scheme to open up the valley for
:14:04. > :14:06.more people to see. Cycling has many health and environmental benefits
:14:07. > :14:10.and the increased number of local and international visitors arriving
:14:11. > :14:15.and using the cycleway will benefit tourism in the region. I've got
:14:16. > :14:20.great respect for the Minister and will he use his good common sense,
:14:21. > :14:24.ground his boss, bring him to Yorkshire, actually speak to grill
:14:25. > :14:30.people in the tourism business who are dreadfully worried about the
:14:31. > :14:35.impact of us leaving be you, in terms of jobs, investment and so
:14:36. > :14:40.much house, Yorkshire is a prime tourist destination that we do not
:14:41. > :14:43.want to hand. It is a prime destination for tourism and has so
:14:44. > :14:48.much to offer. I've been going around the country, I am going off
:14:49. > :14:52.to Devon and Dorset tomorrow to promote tourism again and I will do
:14:53. > :14:55.all I can to get domestic visitors and foreigners to come to Yorkshire
:14:56. > :15:01.and the rest of our great nation. I'm sure the people of Devon and
:15:02. > :15:07.Dorset will soon realise how lucky they are. Mr Kevin Foster. We
:15:08. > :15:16.certainly do in Devon. Question number five. Sport such as rugby
:15:17. > :15:21.union bring tremendous benefits to be individuals and communities who
:15:22. > :15:27.engage in them. Between 2000 and 13 and 2017, sport England is
:15:28. > :15:32.investigating millions of pounds to get more people playing rugby. I
:15:33. > :15:38.thank the Minister for his answer. There are 47 rugby union clubs
:15:39. > :15:43.across Devon, giving people a chance to get involved in the game and
:15:44. > :15:50.their community. What further support can the Government give them
:15:51. > :15:54.to get people involved? I'd like to take the opportunity to congratulate
:15:55. > :15:57.Devon RFU on the work they've been doing to provide them and the
:15:58. > :16:04.opportunities for people to get involved in a great game of rugby.
:16:05. > :16:15.Across Devon, sport England has invested 319,000 pounds to upgrade
:16:16. > :16:19.and improve nine rugby grounds. As I said... I think the honourable lady
:16:20. > :16:23.opposite should listen. We listened to her yesterday when she was
:16:24. > :16:28.waffling on about the BBC, so she should listen today to get some
:16:29. > :16:30.back. We are focused, Mr Speaker, I'm getting more people from all
:16:31. > :16:39.backgrounds involved in sport and physical activity. By talking about
:16:40. > :16:43.the BBC, rugby union is one of many sports covered by the corporation
:16:44. > :16:49.with its editorial independence. As the Minister taken time to reflect
:16:50. > :16:52.on yesterday's BBC debate, reviewed today's press coverage, and realised
:16:53. > :16:59.that God meant interference in editorial issues is deeply
:17:00. > :17:03.unwelcome? -- realised that Government interference is deeply
:17:04. > :17:07.unwelcome? I commend the excellent speeches that we had from my right
:17:08. > :17:16.honourable friend the Secretary of State and the Minister. With the
:17:17. > :17:20.support and how of his department, we had the first ever mixed ability
:17:21. > :17:25.Rugby World Cup in my constituency last year. Can I ask my honourable
:17:26. > :17:27.friend if his department will continue to help and support mixed
:17:28. > :17:34.ability rugby and also perhaps whether he will use his good office
:17:35. > :17:37.to extend the mixed ability format which has been so successful in my
:17:38. > :17:43.constituency to other sports as well? I know what a champion he is
:17:44. > :17:49.for his area and constituency. We believe very much in -- in inclusion
:17:50. > :17:54.and getting as many people involved as possible. As the Minister had a
:17:55. > :18:00.chance to look at the success of schemes like get onside, run for
:18:01. > :18:08.young offenders at Feltham, where rugby has a great record for
:18:09. > :18:14.re-militating -- rehabilitating prisoners and will he look into
:18:15. > :18:17.that? Rugby is a fantastic game which brings together all sorts of
:18:18. > :18:19.different people from different backgrounds and has great
:18:20. > :18:27.opportunities for community. I will certainly look at that. I am very
:18:28. > :18:33.pleased to tell you once again, Mr Speaker, how well the Royal -- rural
:18:34. > :18:39.broadband programme is going. We have reached our target of 90% and
:18:40. > :18:49.we will reach the target of 95% by the end of 2017. My constituents
:18:50. > :18:54.think -- will welcome the new legal right to faster broadband. Can I ask
:18:55. > :18:58.if the reasonable cost will be benchmarked against firstly the
:18:59. > :19:02.realistic cost of installing in rural areas which are not currently
:19:03. > :19:09.connected to fast broadband and secondly, to the cheapest cost that
:19:10. > :19:14.anyone would charge rather than that which BT open reach would calculate?
:19:15. > :19:19.We will certainly be consulting on that and it may be that a number of
:19:20. > :19:22.providers could provide welcome competition but that will be open
:19:23. > :19:26.for consultation once we have passed this legislation which I know what
:19:27. > :19:29.happy support of the whole house. Earlier this week, I received an
:19:30. > :19:37.e-mail from the Minister which helpfully informed me that 3198
:19:38. > :19:42.premises in my constituency, that's 8% or one in 12 are not currently
:19:43. > :19:48.going to be connected to superfast broadband. What does the Minister
:19:49. > :19:51.had to say to the sizeable number of my constituents of never being able
:19:52. > :19:59.to access an adequate broadband connection? Well, what I would say
:20:00. > :20:04.to her constituents is that, as we said, we would get to 90% by the end
:20:05. > :20:10.of last year, which we achieved, and that we would get to 95% by the end
:20:11. > :20:15.of 2017, so we have been completely transparent about what we're going
:20:16. > :20:17.to do. We are now consulting to help constituents such as hers who are
:20:18. > :20:22.not within the rural broadband programme. We are bringing in
:20:23. > :20:26.changes which I hope will have the support of the opposition bunch
:20:27. > :20:34.bench and I would hope -- front bench and I would say that they
:20:35. > :20:38.should support the Government as they go to reach more per
:20:39. > :20:47.constituents. She should be telling them that rather than complaining.
:20:48. > :20:55.Residents are extremely frustrated at the lack of being able to access
:20:56. > :21:02.superfast broadband, so will the Minister encouraged BT to get them
:21:03. > :21:08.connected? I will certainly do that. What discussions is the Minister
:21:09. > :21:18.having about universal service obligation when the bills come
:21:19. > :21:25.through? In order to ensure this relationship is cemented, can I
:21:26. > :21:28.offer my region as a pilot scheme? I would certainly be happy to work
:21:29. > :21:31.with both him and the worst Government. I have always found them
:21:32. > :21:37.both to be very congenial colleagues in terms of the roll-out of
:21:38. > :21:41.superfast broadband. We know that the Secretary of State wants to
:21:42. > :21:45.leave the European Union but his minister already appears to have
:21:46. > :21:53.left the United Kingdom, inhabiting some fantasy broadband ear where
:21:54. > :21:57.everything, to quote the Minister, is an unadulterated success. For the
:21:58. > :22:03.rest of us in the 21st-century United Kingdom, it's a different
:22:04. > :22:08.reality. One in Five broadband is half the speed of what is considered
:22:09. > :22:20.to be acceptable by Ofcom whilst in rural areas, people have no access
:22:21. > :22:29.to 4G, so will he stop fantasising and recognise that this rural
:22:30. > :22:36.broadband betrayal is devastating. I'm sure the honourable lady will
:22:37. > :22:40.want to join me in commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the landslide
:22:41. > :22:50.victory of Margaret Thatcher. In that year, there was no broadband. I
:22:51. > :22:56.was sitting my A-levels but the Secretary of State was on the battle
:22:57. > :23:04.bus. Margaret Thatcher made quite the countryside allowance --
:23:05. > :23:13.countryside Alliance. Let me quote about rural Arcadia, looking forward
:23:14. > :23:20.like. To drying -- dying, battling for green fields because he can live
:23:21. > :23:25.in the countryside with a broadband access. Let us remind ourselves that
:23:26. > :23:30.Labour had a pathetic two bit policy. Let us talk up the success
:23:31. > :23:36.of this programming bed of constantly talking down great
:23:37. > :23:40.broadband Britain. I'm sure the honourable gentleman's performances
:23:41. > :23:52.greatly enjoyed, not least by the honourable gentleman. Talk about
:23:53. > :23:54.overacting. As I was saying, Mr Speaker, a great broadband Britain
:23:55. > :23:59.in a great European Union where Britain sits at the centre of the
:24:00. > :24:07.digital single market which, if it is implemented, will increase GDP by
:24:08. > :24:13.something like 3%. This time, I think the Minister is onto
:24:14. > :24:20.something. The UK is Europe's leading economy and we have the most
:24:21. > :24:23.to gain from the digital market, which is why 96% of members of the
:24:24. > :24:29.creative industries Federation want us to remain in the European Union.
:24:30. > :24:33.Will he have a go at persuading his right honourable friend had damaging
:24:34. > :24:43.it would be for digital jobs in the UK if we left the EU. Well, my right
:24:44. > :24:47.honourable friend has his own mind and, quite rightly, he often takes
:24:48. > :24:51.the view that it's not worth listening to me, which is probably
:24:52. > :24:55.why he's such a successful Secretary of State. I do wish he would listen
:24:56. > :24:58.to me on this issue, because it is quite right that Tecau digital
:24:59. > :25:01.companies do benefit from being members of the European Union and
:25:02. > :25:08.they will continue to thrive if we stay there. Does the Minister agree
:25:09. > :25:14.that whilst the Internet has been a huge source of economic growth in
:25:15. > :25:20.this country, the last thing it needs is to be stifled by the
:25:21. > :25:26.Brussels bureaucrats, which is exactly what will happen with the
:25:27. > :25:34.proposals contained in the EU single digital market strategy? Well, Mr
:25:35. > :25:38.Speaker, I know that that intervention reminds me that this is
:25:39. > :25:43.the 41st anniversary of the first radio transmission from the House of
:25:44. > :25:46.Commons and its quality interventions like that that keeps
:25:47. > :25:52.the British public are listening and watching our proceedings. But I
:25:53. > :25:57.don't think that the Brussels bureaucracy is stifling. In fact, we
:25:58. > :25:59.have 500 British broadcasting companies based in Britain because
:26:00. > :26:12.of European regulations. The protection of cultural heritage
:26:13. > :26:15.affected by act of destruction as a priority for this government. The
:26:16. > :26:23.Government is providing ?30 million for a new cultural protection fund
:26:24. > :26:27.and the Bill which will allow the UK to ratify the Hague Convention and
:26:28. > :26:33.had its second reading in the House of Lords earlier this week.
:26:34. > :26:37.As one of the few archaeologists in this house, I feel we need as a
:26:38. > :26:41.country to take the lead in protecting our cultural heritage.
:26:42. > :26:46.Does he feel deep cultural protection fund and cultural
:26:47. > :26:49.property protection Bill is doing this question what I am grateful to
:26:50. > :26:55.my honourable friend and we certainly benefit from his benefit
:26:56. > :26:59.in this area from his expertise. This country has long been a strong
:27:00. > :27:02.advocate of cultural protection but the perception of our commitment has
:27:03. > :27:07.perhaps been undermined by failure until now, to ratify the 1954 Hague
:27:08. > :27:13.Convention. I am delighted we will be doing so through the cultural
:27:14. > :27:17.property Bill which will reinforce our position as one of the leading
:27:18. > :27:25.voices in advocating the importance of cultural protection around the
:27:26. > :27:29.world. There is really good news on
:27:30. > :27:38.domestic tourism, the number of overnight trips in England in 2015
:27:39. > :27:40.is up 11%. In the five regions it saw double-digit growth in domestic
:27:41. > :27:44.overnight trips on the previous year. Last year there was a positive
:27:45. > :27:48.growth injuries in the East of England, inbound and domestic
:27:49. > :27:55.visits. As you know Mr Speaker, Colchester
:27:56. > :28:02.is the oldest recorded town in written, our oldest capitals at it.
:28:03. > :28:06.We have Roman walls, a Roman circus and can I invite the Minister to
:28:07. > :28:10.visit Colchester and see the amazing tourism potential our town has to
:28:11. > :28:14.offer? I think I should commend my
:28:15. > :28:20.honourable friend on what a champion he is for his city of Colchester. It
:28:21. > :28:22.is a place of huge cultural significance and history, and I
:28:23. > :28:27.encourage tourists to discover what is on offer there. I thank for his
:28:28. > :28:31.invitation, it sounds like a fantastic opportunity and my office
:28:32. > :28:38.will see what diary permits for future visits. It also has a very
:28:39. > :28:44.good university! As someone who spent several years
:28:45. > :28:47.as a bus Strydonck, I know one factor which encourages tourism is
:28:48. > :28:52.integrated ticketing on public transport. Could the Minister have a
:28:53. > :28:57.word with the Secretary of State for Transport to amend the bus services
:28:58. > :29:02.Bill to allow more integrated services and allow councils to run
:29:03. > :29:05.services? As the honourable gentleman knows,
:29:06. > :29:10.that is not in my remit to comment on. What I can say is the Chancellor
:29:11. > :29:15.has been rather generous with his spending on transport in this
:29:16. > :29:20.Parliament. 50% higher than in previous years. What we want to make
:29:21. > :29:23.sure is visitors have the confidence to explore Britain using public
:29:24. > :29:28.transport. As my honourable friend will know,
:29:29. > :29:35.we only have a nuke of the jokes in Lichfield, the original one built in
:29:36. > :29:42.1650 burned down. Ours was built recently... What can we do in
:29:43. > :29:46.Courage people to visit places like Lichfield, which as beautiful as
:29:47. > :29:52.they are, are regarded by bus companies and coach companies as
:29:53. > :29:55.being slightly off the beaten track? Again, my honourable friend is a
:29:56. > :30:00.tremendous champion for his constituency over many years. What
:30:01. > :30:06.we have had, thanks to the Chancellor, the ?40 million discover
:30:07. > :30:09.England fund, to incentivise the development of world-class
:30:10. > :30:13.itineraries. I hope very much his area and others will be looking at
:30:14. > :30:19.that to make applications to see we can get tourists to his part of the
:30:20. > :30:22.world. In Northern Ireland we have an
:30:23. > :30:27.increasing number of tourists who are visiting Northern Ireland. Not
:30:28. > :30:33.just because Liam Neeson is on the tourism adverts or because we have
:30:34. > :30:37.the Giants Causeway to go to, but because more people are holidaying
:30:38. > :30:40.at home. What can he do to make sure all the nations can work together so
:30:41. > :30:48.we can all take advantage of the tourism attractions customer
:30:49. > :30:51.fantastic opportunities for tourists go to Northern Ireland and see what
:30:52. > :30:55.is on offer. We are trying to ring courage people
:30:56. > :30:59.to have vacations at home and work with the devolved authorities to try
:31:00. > :31:05.and promote tourism, visit Northern Ireland, visit Scotland, visit
:31:06. > :31:10.Wales, visit Ireland, to see a joined up and see what great
:31:11. > :31:20.opportunities we have. Just like every other...
:31:21. > :31:25.The off, code of listed events make sure key events are free to air
:31:26. > :31:29.channels. Our sport strategy published last year makes clear the
:31:30. > :31:35.Government does not propose to review this list.
:31:36. > :31:43.Just like every other football fan on this island, Scottish fans are
:31:44. > :31:48.looking forward to Euro 2016. During qualification we were unable to
:31:49. > :31:52.watch significant matches, including against Germany, on free to air
:31:53. > :32:00.channels. We were able to watch Romania and Albania and Austria
:32:01. > :32:03.also. When are these regarded of national interest in our home teams
:32:04. > :32:07.are not? The Scottish football fans will have
:32:08. > :32:11.the choice of the three home nations that have qualified, to choose which
:32:12. > :32:16.to support in the course of the championships. I am sorry Scotland
:32:17. > :32:22.on this occasion did not make it through. However, the question of
:32:23. > :32:25.which matches are shown by which particular broadcaster is the one
:32:26. > :32:31.for the sporting authorities. The limited list applies to a very
:32:32. > :32:36.restricted number of sporting events but beyond that it is for each
:32:37. > :32:40.sporting body to decide how best to strike a balance between maximising
:32:41. > :32:48.revenue for their sport and reaching as large an audience as possible.
:32:49. > :32:52.I am sure the whole house will want to wish the teams of England, Wales,
:32:53. > :32:56.Northern Ireland and the Republic of island all the best in the European
:32:57. > :32:59.Championships. Football shows us we have more in common with our
:33:00. > :33:03.European neighbours than divides us. I'm sure the Secretary of State
:33:04. > :33:09.would agree. This was demonstrated by the singing of the RCA in
:33:10. > :33:13.response to the attacks in Paris. In that spirit will you join me in
:33:14. > :33:17.urging fans to enjoy the tournament peacefully, whether they are
:33:18. > :33:23.travelling to France or watching in the company of their friends homes
:33:24. > :33:27.or in public places and to assist the police and security services in
:33:28. > :33:33.trying to ensure we have a safe and secure tournament?
:33:34. > :33:36.I completely agree with the honourable gentleman and am very
:33:37. > :33:40.grateful to him for putting the case he has and giving me the opportunity
:33:41. > :33:46.of endorsing everything he says. We do look forward to the matches in
:33:47. > :33:52.the championships to come. We wish all the home Nations success. I have
:33:53. > :33:56.a second interest, in that I drew England in the departmental
:33:57. > :33:59.sweepstake and will be supporting England in their match against
:34:00. > :34:05.Russia, which sadly was drawn by my honourable friend. She will have
:34:06. > :34:10.torn loyalties on that particular occasion! We hope that match and
:34:11. > :34:14.every other match passes off peaceably enter maximum enjoyment of
:34:15. > :34:22.those participating and watching. Topical questions, Will Quinn 's.
:34:23. > :34:29.Andy Murray has reached the final of the French Open and boxing has lost
:34:30. > :34:34.its most famous and greatest exponent in Muhammad Ali. The
:34:35. > :34:37.Southbank sky awards in June honoured British talent, including
:34:38. > :34:42.the Minister for culture's favourite rapper and I'm sure the whole house
:34:43. > :34:52.will be looking forward to the Euro Championships which bred -- begin in
:34:53. > :34:58.France this weekend. Colchester Borough Council, Essex County
:34:59. > :35:01.Council are contributing towards the Mercury Theatre's ?8.8 million
:35:02. > :35:05.expansion plans. Does my honourable friend agree with me that investment
:35:06. > :35:08.in the arts is an investment in local economy and we should get
:35:09. > :35:12.behind these exciting and impressive plans?
:35:13. > :35:18.I certainly do join my honourable friend. I think he was ten at the
:35:19. > :35:21.time that he may recall at that time I was representing part of
:35:22. > :35:26.Colchester in the House of Commons. I'm very familiar with the Mercury
:35:27. > :35:30.Theatre and delighted to hear about the investment going into its
:35:31. > :35:35.expansion. I think any investment in our hearts does bring real benefits,
:35:36. > :35:41.not least in economic terms for the local community. I wish them
:35:42. > :35:46.continuing success in the future. On Tuesday the Secretary of State
:35:47. > :35:50.state told the DMS committee in his evidence there had been no
:35:51. > :35:53.discussions on government about Channel 4 privatisation and the
:35:54. > :35:58.examination of such an option had not been started by the 9th of
:35:59. > :36:03.September 2015 when he previously answered questions before the
:36:04. > :36:09.committee. However, in answer to an FOIA request on the 27th of April
:36:10. > :36:14.received my office, the department confirmed he met with the Minister
:36:15. > :36:18.for the Cabinet Office to discuss Channel 4 reform options on the 3rd
:36:19. > :36:22.of September, six days before his appearance in front of that
:36:23. > :36:27.committee. Can he explain the discrepancy?
:36:28. > :36:31.Thank you. Yes, the first discussions that I had with the
:36:32. > :36:37.Cabinet office minister was about Channel 4 and what possible options
:36:38. > :36:41.there would be for its future. At that stage no decisions had been
:36:42. > :36:46.taken. Following that, the department did begin to look at
:36:47. > :36:49.whether or not there was a case for having a fundamental examination and
:36:50. > :36:53.the decision to go ahead with that was taken subsequent to that and
:36:54. > :36:58.after my appearance before the select committee. Later in the month
:36:59. > :37:05.of September. Well, Mr Speaker, on Tuesday, in
:37:06. > :37:09.answer to questions from the select committee he was asked whether or
:37:10. > :37:15.not any discussions at all had taken place before the 9th of September
:37:16. > :37:22.and he replied, I have the no, not within government. That
:37:23. > :37:25.seems to me a bit discrepancy. It seems he may have misled the
:37:26. > :37:30.committee and I invite him to correct his evidence to them now on
:37:31. > :37:35.this very important matter, that matters to a lot of us in this
:37:36. > :37:39.house, the future of Channel 4. I entirely agree with the honourable
:37:40. > :37:44.lady that the future of Channel 4 is an important matter. Whether or not
:37:45. > :37:49.the discussion which the Cabinet office minister, which took place on
:37:50. > :37:52.the 3rd of September constituted the beginning of an examination, when
:37:53. > :37:57.actually a decision was not taken to begin that examination and on about
:37:58. > :38:00.four weeks later doesn't seem to me a central, important matter in the
:38:01. > :38:04.future of Channel 4. We did decide it was sensible to carry out an
:38:05. > :38:09.examination. That examination is still underway. We have still not
:38:10. > :38:12.yet reached decisions as to the best way forward for Channel 4, but I
:38:13. > :38:18.look forward to having that discussion with Channel 4 in the
:38:19. > :38:22.very near future. There is a great aspiration in
:38:23. > :38:25.Cornwall to have a sports stadium. The Minister will know what this
:38:26. > :38:30.aspiration. What financial support or otherwise can his department give
:38:31. > :38:34.to deliver the stadium for Cornwall. I am grateful to my honourable
:38:35. > :38:38.friend and would like to pay tribute to his efforts, particular, to bring
:38:39. > :38:42.about the stadium for Cornwall, which is something the Government is
:38:43. > :38:45.committed to. As he knows, I have held two meetings with interested
:38:46. > :38:49.parties in Cornwall, which he was able to come to as well. I
:38:50. > :38:54.understand good progress is being made, a draft planning application
:38:55. > :39:00.is now going before the council. I hope that that will lead to progress
:39:01. > :39:04.and that will we will see commencement of work on a new
:39:05. > :39:08.stadium in the near future. What protections can my constituents
:39:09. > :39:12.and others expect mobile phone roaming charges in Europe, in the
:39:13. > :39:19.event of an exit on the 24th of June?
:39:20. > :39:24.I think that is a very good question, Mr Speaker. Britain was at
:39:25. > :39:27.the forefront of negotiating the reduction in roaming charges,
:39:28. > :39:31.working with our European partners. It is yet another example of the
:39:32. > :39:35.benefit to consumers and citizens of being a member of the European
:39:36. > :39:40.Union. Mr Speaker, after the huge success
:39:41. > :39:49.of the London Paralympics we saw how Paralympics can inspire. Six of my
:39:50. > :39:55.constituents have been selected to represent us at Rio Imp Paralympic
:39:56. > :40:01.basketball. It is important we wish all of our
:40:02. > :40:04.athletes great success in Rio, the Paralympics are just as important as
:40:05. > :40:13.the Olympics and we wish all of them success in their ventures.
:40:14. > :40:24.On Tuesday I met with the project director for the Paisley bid.
:40:25. > :40:27.Despite me a few weeks ago... We are still none the wiser on the date
:40:28. > :40:34.involved in the process. Can I courage the Secretary of State to
:40:35. > :40:38.advise on this? I'd take his points on board and we
:40:39. > :40:43.will make sure the bidding process is as transparent and clear as
:40:44. > :40:47.possible and will make the rules as clear as possible. While we are
:40:48. > :40:51.talking about culture, I think it is important to mark today as the
:40:52. > :40:58.anniversary of the publication of the first book of Common prayer by
:40:59. > :41:02.Archbishop Cranmer in 1569, the 9th of June, following the Anglican
:41:03. > :41:10.Church's break with Europe, I mean Rome!
:41:11. > :41:20.Can I thank the Minister for his e-mail on Monday about superfast
:41:21. > :41:27.broadband. Can I also raise the problem of not spots in role areas
:41:28. > :41:33.with him and ask what the department are doing following the cessation of
:41:34. > :41:42.investigations into this? The mobile input structure -- the mobile
:41:43. > :41:52.infrastructure project was a massive success but it has now been
:41:53. > :41:56.overtaken by a project to increase the number of masks to tackle not
:41:57. > :42:00.spots over the next few months. I will keep him informed. There has
:42:01. > :42:05.been much discussion of world War three in this House in the last few
:42:06. > :42:13.days and there is a real problem that world War three could start in
:42:14. > :42:18.my own constituency as footballs from a local school keep falling
:42:19. > :42:21.into residence garden. Can the Minister tell us whether there might
:42:22. > :42:29.be grants available to stop this happening? I'm sorry to learn of the
:42:30. > :42:38.problems faced by residents in his constituency. We are very keen to
:42:39. > :42:44.encourage sporting participation and excellence in sport and perhaps
:42:45. > :42:46.better aim in kicking the ball is may help to alleviate this problem
:42:47. > :42:58.and that is certainly something we would seek to encourage. Questions
:42:59. > :42:59.to the Leader of the