Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Questions House of Commons

Welcome to BBC Parliament's live

coverage of the House of Commons.

In an hour do you -- Labour MP will

ask a question on the recently

published report on hormonal

pregnancy tests. Then the Leader of

the House Andrea Leadsome will

outline the forthcoming business in

the Commons, and will then make a

statement in Parliament's

independent complaints and grievance

policy following recent sexual

harassment allegations. Then, a

debate calling for the waiting time

for the Universal Credit payment

being reduced from six weeks to a

month, for the first payment. Join

me for a round-up in both Houses of

Parliament at 11pm. First, questions

to the Culture, Media and Sport

Minister.

It is noted on today's

order paper that on the 18th of

November 1917, captain the

honourable Neil James Archibald

Primrose PC MC, member for Wisbech,

died from wounds received in action

at the third Battle of Gaza. We

remember him today. Order, questions

to the Secretary of State for

digital Culture, Media and Sport.

Thank you. The length of the name

sounds like a land grab. With

permission I will answer this along

with question 14. Over 94% of UK

homes and businesses can now access

superfast broadband and we're on

track to reach 95% by the end of the

year. Superfast broadband coverage

will extend beyond that to at least

another 2% of premises for those not

covered by superfast broadband we

will ensure universal broadband

coverage of at least 10 megabits.

Can I thank the Secretary of State.

I am delighted that Aberdeen is one

of six pilot areas for super fast

reliable full fibre broadband, which

offers speeds as high as one

gigabit. However at a time when

governments slow roll-out has left

Aberdeen South with one of the worst

speeds, does the Minister Sheila

concerned that this is vital to

boosting the economy in Aberdeen?

I

am disappointed to hear about

coverage and his consistency because

this government has put the

resources behind the superfast

programme, but we are reliant on

local authorities and the Scottish

Government to deliver the superfast

programme. We have always said that

superfast gives good connectivity as

quickly as possible, but actually

full fibre is the future, and the

fact Aberdeen is in the pilot is

good news for his constituents.

I'm

grateful to her for her answer.

People in my constituency are hungry

for full fibre broadband here, when

will they get it?

We are determined

to make sure all businesses and

people living in his constituency

are able to access broadband speeds

they need to ensure they will be

part of the digital revolution we

are seeing in the economy. We will

deliver full fibre to his

constituency as soon as practical.

Virgin Media have recognised that

Wrexham is a great place to invest.

As I speak, they are building a new

infrastructure in Wrexham. What can

she do to help members opposite who

always complain about the

government's performance on

superfast broadband to ensure they

have the benefits Wrexham is now

having?

I think it is a shame that

he takes the approach he has. If I

use the example of my honourable

friend in Aberdeen, in 2012 only 2%

of premises have access to superfast

broadband, that is now 94% thanks to

the actions of this government. We

know that we need to continue

working on this because it is

important we get the rate access. I

am delighted his constituency has

such good broadband access.

Ceredigion has the dubious accolade

of being in the bottom ten per

broadband provision. What

discussions has she had with the

Welsh government to ensure that

rural areas of Wales are not left

behind?

I can assure him that my

department does speak regularly to

the Welsh government, who have

responsibility for delivering

superfast broadband, but they will

have heard his comments and will act

upon them.

I am pleased to hear the

Secretary of State talk about the

superfast broadband coverage.

Superfast Essex will provide

coverage for 95% of the county, but

what is being done to provide access

to the other 95% of Essex, many who

live in rural areas and require

improved connectivity?

Superfast

Essex will reach 95%, and the

programme does not end at the end of

2017. We expect... I would also urge

her and her constituent neighbours

in Essex to encourage take-up of

superfast broadband because as

people take up access to superfast

broadband, then becomes money back

into the system to connect even more

promises to superfast broadband.

Could she explained why the UK

Government's contribution to the

Scottish Government roll-out project

is just £21 million, less than that

awarded to Devon and Somerset? Will

she join me in applauding the scale

of the Scottish Government's

ambition, looking at 30 megabits per

second per every Scottish household,

and does she think the people of

England deserved but level of

ambition from the government?

This

is about delivery of superfast

broadband, not just ambition on

superfast broadband. I am afraid the

Scottish Government is behind and

every single measure compared to

other areas. He talks about money,

money, money. The point is that is

about delivery here. Other local

authorities and areas have been able

to deliver. I hope the Scottish

Government will take note. We're

working closely with industry to

develop a deal for the creative

industries, including how government

and industry can partner to develop.

Following the independent review of

the sector and working with key

creative industries Council and

Federation, we are discussing

measures including ways to improve

information about careers in the

creative industries, and tackling

barriers to working in the sector.

I

visited a number of excellent

apprenticeship schemes across

broadcast media. We were told they

had to seek out information about

than themselves, rather than being

given information from careers

advisers. What can we do to further

promote apprenticeships to young

people?

They are fantastic and a

great achievement. A fantastic way

to get skills and training needed

for future careers. There are

specific issues with regard to

apprenticeships, particularly the

fact so many freelancers in the

industries. The skills minister did

meet a Round Table of creative

industries this week to discuss how

we can make this work so we get the

benefits of apprenticeships to all

young people.

Nurturing diversity is

key to industries. Will the Minister

join me in urging the new chief

executive of Channel 4 to have a

different approach to her

predecessor, putting access to the

industry at the top of the wish

list?

We have a question on Channel

4's location later, but if I can

make the point that Channel 4 has

done incredibly great work when it

comes to diversity, they have great

on-screen talent, which has

disabilities, different sexualities,

they have been very good at

promoting that and I want to pay

tribute to them for that. Across the

industry, the more diversity would

mean more creativity, which is a

message they must listen to. That

diversity may be located outside

London.

To progress careers,

creative artists need lots of work

opportunities, and from musicians

that means venues, many of which are

being closed. Will she gave

consideration to put rules into

legislation, as I hope to propose

later?

We're working to look at the

proposition that has been put

forward.

Does she agree that the

best way to promote careers in

creative industries is on the back

of the economy, and having sensible

policies drive the country forward.

I could not have put it better.

The

people with most interesting careers

in the creative industries are the

workforce, and in the creative

industries they are also rights

holders as well as workers, so why

has the government continued to deny

this to the trade unions? Will she

make a pledge to rectify this

omission immediately?

Membership of

the creative industries Council is

determined by the membership of the

council, it is not a government

decision. He will be aware if he has

been speaking to the creative

industries Council that because of

the sector deal, any decisions about

future membership have been deferred

until the sector deal has been

finalised.

Superfast broadband is

available to 94% of premises. In

2010, only 2.5% of homes in Windsor

had superfast broadband access.

Windsor is a very well-connected

constituency, but we do have some

concerns that in the rural and semi

rural areas that there may be some

need for further connectivity. Does

he agree that in order to boost the

creative, home education and

entertainment market, that

developers and local authorities

would do well to push on with

ensuring they deliver broadband

infrastructure like ducting

alongside the mains?

Windsor is not only well-connected

but well represented and I would say

that my honourable friend makes a

very important point, which is that

as new developments are built its

very important they get the

infrastructure and connectivity

right from the start so we have

agreed with the home builders

Federation and major broadband

providers that all new large

developments, over 30 homes, will

get good connections but we are also

talking to DCLG to strengthen that

requirement because it seems absurd

to build a new house without

building the fibre all the way to

it.

I wrote to the Treasury about

their 200 million locally led

infrastructure fund, they passed me

to the Minister who passed me to the

local authority. The local authority

says the criteria mean people have

to make bids that are too big for a

rural area. Please cut the Minister

look again so that my constituency

in Teesdale get the broadband they

need.

I was in Teesside last week

and talking to local authorities

from across the region. And we

designed this scheme to allow all

local bodies of whatever size to bid

in, whether that's the district

Borough Council, county council is

larger metropolitan areas. I look

forward to engaging with her after

this to ensure that can be taken

forward.

Can I suggest my right

honourable friend comes to the other

end of Berkshire and looks at what

west Berkshire Council have done in

trying to reach the hardest to reach

in rural areas. Only a fraction of

the homes now don't have superfast

or won't have superfast in the next

few months and they are working with

Gigaclear is a really effective

company.

West Berkshire is also

well-connected, and testament is

that they have made good progress on

superfast broadband. There are now

lots of providers and they are

working to get Britain connected.

Mr

Speaker, we understand the UK

Government is likely to be taking up

the offer from BT which is far

behind the Scottish Government. Can

he say whether he intends to discuss

this before making a decision, will

he take up the suggestion of a UK

wide working group?

Yes, I'm going

to Scotland in a fortnight to

discuss their spot in Scotland we

delegated the funding to the

Scottish Government and they have

contracted more slowly than any

English county or the Welsh

government and they need to get on

with it.

We have also got Gigaclear

coming into Devon and Somerset as

competition to be too but we still

have a big percentage of people who

are most hard to reach and we have

got to concentrate on getting

superfast broadband to them.

He's

dead right and I pay tribute to the

work Devon and Somerset have done,

they have grouped together to and

deliver to some very hard to reach

areas and have been getting the

contract out of the door to get

connectivity better as fast as

possible.

The creative industries

are one of the UK s greatest success

stories contributing over £87

billion to the economy and we have

been working close with the creative

industries to understand the impacts

and opportunities presented by our

decision to leave the EU.

New

technologies are fuelling economic

growth in our country. No more so

than in Manchester, one of the

worlds... International city built

on... What is the Minister doing to

ensure Brexit does not create new

borders under separate community who

thrive where there are no language

barriers, no cultural barriers, just

like minded individuals?

I agree

Manchester was a fantastic,

creative, innovative, diverse city

and I'm sure he will join me in

welcoming the factory projects of

£78 million being spent on

regenerating the old Granada Studios

into an amazing creative space. He

would also I'm sure welcome the fact

yesterday the Government announced a

doubling of the number of Tier one

visas available for highly skilled

brightest and best creative and tech

people. I'm sure he will also join

me in welcoming the fact the success

of tech north, a Manchester success

story, will now be expanded across

the whole of the UK.

With the

Secretary of State agree that coming

out of the European Union opens up

greater opportunities for the

creative industries?

I think what my

honourable friend says is right,

there are clearly challenges but

great opportunities. These are

global industries that have operated

outside 27 member states of the

European Union for ever and they are

great British success story and I'm

determined to continue to make them

that.

As well as the current

generation of technologies, we've

provided over £1 billion of funding

to support the next generation of

digital infrastructure including

investment in full fibre networks

and 5G test-beds so we are ready to

ensure we are ahead of the pack as

5G is developed.

Given the number of

companies that specialise in

technological innovation in and

around Cambridge and the growth of

Avotech, does the Minister think

South East Cambridgeshire would be

an excellent place to hold some 5G

trials?

Because of its combination

of having amazing high-tech growth

in Cambridge which -- and is an area

where were contest these

technologies I look forward to

working with courtesy to see if it

can make that happen. -- we can test

these technologies.

Later is a big

part of the digital infrastructure.

The Minister claims his data

protection Bill is going to put

people in control of their own data

but it systematically strips various

groups of any control of their data

including immigrants so what is he

doing to ensure people can control

their own data?

I'm slightly

surprised by the question because we

are bringing in the data protection

Bill which gives much more control

and consent over people's data to

make sure we have a system in the UK

which supports the use of data in a

modern way and keeps and strengthens

privacy. That no doubt will have a

debate on that bill when it comes

here but it's great it's got

cross-party support.

Does the

Minister agree it's vital to invest

in digital infrastructure if we are

to raise productivity? Particularly

in rural areas?

Absolutely, not only

making sure we get the current

generation of technology rolled out

and we are pushing the Scottish

Government to deliver on that but

for the next generation we will

deliver directly to local

authorities in Scotland because we

want to make sure Scotland doesn't

get left behind as it has this time

around.

Minister, you will be aware

of some 63,000 premises in Northern

Ireland can not get a download speed

of 10 megabytes. We did secure with

government extra money. Can the

Minister discuss what's taking place

with the Assembly to make sure that

roll-out continues and indeed even

starts?

We have been putting a lot

of work in trying to get -- make

sure of the roll-out. In terms of

the legislation this week it will

help to deliver and make sure we

have the infrastructure in place but

I'm determined to make sure Northern

Ireland continues to get connected.

As the honourable lady will know, a

review of as Fossey is currently

ongoing which will consider a range

of issues including funding methods

-- of S4C.

It's estimated S4C will

lose £9 million of funding...

I have

asked Mr Williams to look into those

matters and it is down to him as an

independent reviewer to look at

those matters.

Welsh is Britain's

most indigenous oldest language and

has historic significance. Based in

my constituency of Cardiff zero, S4C

plays a huge role in providing

constant opportunities for people to

hear and learn Welsh. Can the

Secretary of State is committed to

increasing its funding to ensure its

digital content is adequately

resourced in order for it to compete

with an equal footing with other

broadcasters?

I agree that S4C is a

fantastic success story introduced

by Conservative government in the

1980s and one that continues to

promote the Welsh language in such a

fantastic way. We have an

independent review and I am

determined to support and deliver a

fantastic S4C for the future and

make sure it is fit for the 21st

century. The Government has made

clear Channel 4 must have a major

presence outside London as a

publicly owned broadcaster it is

essential that reflects and provides

for the country as a whole.

What I

would like to know is you keep

saying it has got to ensure but many

of us have put bids in and still

don't know, particularly in the West

Midlands and I am from Wolverhampton

so I should be wanting to come

there. What will you do to make sure

any relocation of Channel 4 protects

its ability to fund itself through

advertising?

We are discussing with

Channel 4 what is appropriate for it

to do, I make no comment on an

appropriate location for Channel 4

to relocate to. I have heard a

number of bits today. I was just

right honourable members contact the

Channel 4 board. This is a decision

for the board but if we cannot reach

an agreement clearly we would need

to legislate and I welcome

cross-party support for the private

member's bill on this particular

matter.

The Norwich University of

arts produces many creative

graduates each year. What she agree

that Channel 4 should carefully

consider the merits of Norfolk for a

new location when it moves outside

London?

Mr Speaker, what I think we

have found through this ongoing

process is the vast number of

incredible creative locations that

we have across the whole of the UK

and I urge them all to continue to

put forward their suggestions for

proposals and not just for Channel 4

but all of the creative industries

because actually creating clusters

and getting a centre of gravity in

an area means creativity can

flourish.

There at least one in

every colleague's constituency

Louise Haig.

My officials and I have

regular conversations with the Home

Office on matters relating to

football and other sporting events

including counterterrorism security

and policing matters.

I'm very

grateful for the response to the

question but the cost of policing

for Premier League football last

year to the Met was almost £7

million, but the clubs only

contributed £360,000. Given that

clubs draw in 240 million every

single match day, isn't it time they

were paying their fair share to

overstretched police forces?

Several

clubs do make a significant

contribution to home matches, the

Premier League and clubs themselves

contributed £2.4 billion to the

finances. I know that recent High

Court cases are determined that

based on existing legislation the

police are not entitled to charge

for these special police services

where they are deployed on public

land and that court decision has

implications as to what the police

can charge but we work with both

Premier League and the clubs on a

whole host of policing matters and

I'm sure that will continue.

The

honourable lady for Sheffield Healy

is right about this and I have met

with the Home Secretary to discuss

this with her. Can I urge the

Minister

to get with the Home Secretary to

meet with the Premier League and the

EFL and ask them to make a voluntary

contribution of the massive amounts

of money they get from TV rights,

and if they refuse to do so to

legislate to make sure police forces

get a realistic figure for the cost

of policing matches because

otherwise it is money that is taken

away from neighbourhood policing in

all of our constituencies.

I'm

grateful for the question. They do

contribute over £2.4 billion into

public finances from the Premier

League. We are aware of the

continued increase in costs to

police football matches and other

sporting events and this is

something we have an ongoing

discussion with everyone involved.

Protecting the UK from cyber attack

is a tier one National Security

Agency. We are investing £1.9

billion in it and we opened the

national cyber Security Centre to

lead the nation's efforts.

The Prime

Minister has been very clear that

Russian authorities have been

meddling in elections and using

social media inappropriately. What

steps is the minister taking

following those allegations and has

he arranged it directly with Russian

authorities?

The Prime Minister has

been cleared, and she set out on

Monday night, with more details

provided by the cyber Security

Centre on Tuesday. We know what the

Russians are doing and we will not

let them get away with it.

With the

minister agree with me that

companies like Facebook and Twitter

should respond to requests that any

evidence of Russian backed activity

on fake news to do with British

politics should be provided to

Parliament so we can scrutinise it?

This is an incredibly important

issue. The work the select committee

is doing is taking a lead in

ensuring that evidence is brought to

light and will, of course,

investigate all evidence we see and

take action where appropriate.

There

are now widespread reports of a wave

of cyber attacks, possibly backed by

Russia aimed at subverting our

democracy. What discussions has he

had with social media firms about

interference by Russia in the EU

referendum and the general election?

We have discussions with social

media companies on a whole range of

issues, including this, about the

impact of social media on political

campaigning across the world. And,

of course, you cannot solve an issue

like this without working with

social media companies because they

are the platforms on which a lot of

the communication is conducted.

That

was a pretty high-level answer. If

we are going to stop the cyber

attacks on our democracy it is

important the right agencies have

the right powers. The Electoral

Commission tells me they do not have

the power to foreign spending. Will

the minister assure us that this

government will cooperate fully with

the inquiry into Russian cyber

attacks on democracy and we begin

preparations now for an

American-style their ads act so the

right agencies have the right powers

to stop the cyber attacks in their

tracks?

I think the Right honourable

gentleman makes important points. We

are considering all options at this

stage and looking at all of the

evidence. We will say more when

appropriate.

Topical questions. Mr

Peter Bone. Since the last oral

questions grab my department has

made progress on a number of key

proteins. We have setup the internet

safety Green paper. This week we

launched the first review into the

museum sector for ten years it will

help endless museums to thrive and

grow as we continue to work to

ensure the UK is a world leader in

digital and technologies of the

yesterday, the Prime Minister and

Chancellor welcomed some of the best

and brightest to Downing Street to

confirm the Government's to the

sector. My department will be

leading work across the Government

and with a range of people and

organisations to develop a civil

strategy. -- civil society strategy.

My honourable friend, the minister,

has made a written statement today

informing the House of our intention

to take this work forward.

American

football is very popular in this

country and growing. We had four

regular-season NFL games in London

this year. It is rather like Arsenal

playing in New York one of their

Premier League games next year we

will have two macro games in London

at Wembley and two macro games at

the magnificent new Tottenham

Hotspur ground. Could the Secretary

of State tell the house what efforts

are being made to attract a

franchise to London?

Mr Speaker, can

I pay tribute to buy honourable

friend who chairs the all-party

group on American football. I am

contemplating the idea of what you

would do if Arsenal were playing in

New York and how you would manage to

fit in going to watch the match. It

may be a bit of a challenge but I am

sure you would enjoy it. Perhaps

that is what we saw. I was at the

ravens- Jaguars match. We saw a full

house at Wembley people enjoying

American football here in the United

Kingdom. We want to continue to

promote American trouble and

discussions are ongoing about a

full-time franchise.

The minister

will be aware that the FA made its

final payment to any Aluko recently

after initially holding the

settlement payment because she spoke

out about the abuse she suffered. I

believe it is in the public interest

to note how money people are being

paid to stay silent. Does the

minister know how many settlement

payments of a similar nature the FA

or professional clubs have made to

individuals after allegations of

abuse or disk rumination?

Mr

Speaker, I am not aware of the

answer to that question. I'm sure

the FA are watching this exchange

with interest and will be in touch

with the honourable lady.

Does my

right honourable friend share my

concern about the decline of local

newspapers and consequences to local

democracy? Will she welcomed the

Lords by the BBC of local news

partnership which will support the

local employment of local reporters.

Does she agree that Google and

Facebook, who also profit from local

journalism, can support that

initiative?

Mr Speaker, my right

honourable friend deserves credit

for the work he did on the BBC

charter which included the work the

BBC is now doing on local news it is

a great concern to war members of

the House, the idea we would lose

our local newspaper. The boys

followed the people is a great

concern and I have been having

discussions with the internet

companies.

-- the voice. At the same

time as the UK Government has been

slashing Scotland's budget, the

funding for The National Lottery

fell 14% in the last year. Scotland

are having to consider 119 closures.

Will be a recovery plan to offset

the further cuts in funding?

-- will

there be? Mr Speaker, it has been

well reported there has been a

decline in the misdeeds of national

lottery. It is something we are

looking at. We still expect returns

to good causes by The National

Lottery to be an original £1.6

billion. Much of that will be

distributed across the nation to the

constituencies of the honourable

gentleman.

Following the statement

by the Prime Minister on the 17th of

June, the Secretary of State for Du

CMS gave 1.5 million to support our

emergency services. That was much

appreciated. Can the Secretary of

State look at increasing funding

going forward?

I will look at what

my honourable friend says it we

could have a discussion outside this

chamber.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. With

over 430,000 people having a serious

gambling addiction, and a further 2

million people possibly developing

one, can the minister say exactly

what the Government is doing to

tackle serious problem?

Mr Speaker,

you will recall in October I

published the consultation into

gambling. That consultation will

finish in January. We have an urgent

question on the day in which many of

these issues were raised. The

Government takes this issue very

seriously and we look forward to

getting the responses back to help

shape our policies in the future.

Society lotteries provide funding

for charities and local causes. They

can provide a lot more if the

jackpot prize were increased. Could

my right honourable friend tell me

what plans are to reform the lottery

sector and the timetable for doing

so?

Mr Speaker, my honourable friend

makes a very important point about

society lotteries. As government we

want to make sure we have a strong

national lottery but that does not

mean we have strong society

lotteries full stop we are looking

carefully at the role of society

lotteries.

Today's bone and economic

support shows that full-time

volunteering add up to £190 million

per annum to the UK economy. What

plans does the minister had to

respond to the recommendations of

the youth full-time action social

review?

Mr Speaker, the Government

established an Independent review of

full-time social action by young

people and the recommendations are

expected by the end of 2017, the end

of this year.

The concern of the

tourist and hospitality sector is

access to the Labour force once we

leave the EU. Can you confirm this

message has got through and what is

happening about it?

I thank my

honourable friend for that question.

He is a strong campaigner for the

tourism industry full I had numerous

conversations with the tourism

industry across the UK and am having

active conversations with government

and look to progress being made in

the near future on that very

important issue.

Thank you, Mr

Speaker. In September, the NEC Group

agreed to operate the Bradford Odeon

as the largest of its size venue

outside of London. This could

potentially attract a further

quarter of a million visitors to

Bradford. Does the minister agree

with me this shows a huge confidence

in Bradford and will he look at

funding a gap, bridging the gap in

funding after the local authority

have added extra funds? Will he meet

with me to look at this story for

the world-class site.

I would be

delighted to meet with you. I know

about the proposals. I think they

are exciting that we are very strong

supporters of music venues in

Bradford and across the country.

This gives me the opportunity to

warmly welcome the decision of the

matter to abolish form 696 in London

which has done so much to prevent a

diverse range of music being put on

life. There was significant pressure

brought to bear and thankfully they

have taken that decision. That is in

London but I want to work with him

to deliver music venues in Bradford

as well.

The Minister of tourism

will be aware of the importance to

Torbay of this industry. Many people

will start to think of their summer

holiday. What work will he do to

help Britain's eight coastline?

My

honourable friend is absolutely

right. Extending the season is a key

protein for the tourism sector. I

will be down in the South West early

in March to declare the season

opener early next year.

Will the

minister look at the situation

whereby the 2018 Winter Olympics are

in its entirety and listed event

with expectation it be shown on live

free to air TV as before in its

entirety? Most of the live coverage

will be on Eurosport without any

reference as yet to Ofcom.

The

listed events regime is very

important to make sure the nation's

save at sports are seen on public

service broadcasting channels. We

don't have a proposal to change the

listed events regime. "Is Working

pretty well. I will look into the

specifics he raises. -- it is

working.

I am passionate about

getting more women into sport,

especially girls across the UK. The

Government has done great work with

the This Girl Can campaign. We must

make sure they are properly

protected. What is that a bomb in

doing to insure appropriate

safeguards for all children

participating in sport?

Mr Speaker,

if you forgive me, it is a year ago

today since Andy Woodward, the

ex-Crewe Alexandra player reported

historic allegations. He was

incredibly brave to do so. As a

consequence of that courage, he has

made sure that we in government, and

other parts of the sporting sector

have taken this issue incredibly

seriously. That is why I am pleased

to announce I have secured

ministerial agreement with the

departments of Justice, the Ministry

for justice and the Home Office to

change laws on the position of trust

to include sports coaches.

Thank

you, Mr Speaker. Fixed odds betting

terminals, generally the social harm

of the scale and nature demands and

in immediate and radical response.

Can I say to the minister, unless

the maximum stake is accepted at the

bottom end, this problem is not

going to go away?

Mr Speaker, it is

alive consultation. I encourage the

honourable gentleman to submit his

views.

Mr Speaker, the natural

history museum is embarking on the

monumental task of digitising 800

million items, including a

collection of dung beetles and the

Beatles. These items could hold the

keys to our future biodiversity

climate change problems. They are

very important. Does the minister

agree this is the kind of project

this government should be supporting

in conjunction with our global

partners?

The Government is indeed supporting

that work and we have

internationally renowned

institutions that do wonderful work.

Digitisation is really important and

the University of Sheffield for

example is working closely with the

Natural History Museum to take

advantage of some of the pioneering

work they