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19W
Written Answers
26 OCTOBER 2009
Written Answers
20W
of European state aid and competition rule. I am unable
to disclose commercially confidential or sensitive
information about the valuation of the Tote or prospective
Government payments to agents.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of
16 October 2009, Official Report, columns 1143-44W,
on the Reserve Totalmeter Board, on what date his
Department was informed of the decision taken on
23 September 2009 to include the Tote in the list of
assets to be sold. [294938]
Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 22 October 2009]: The
Department was aware of the decision in principle to
include the Tote on the list of assets sold during a
meeting on 23 September 2009.
Officials from the Department were present as well as
Ministers.
Licensing Laws: Language
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of
16 October 2009, Official Report, columns 1144W, on
licensing laws: languages, in how many languages tests
relating to obtaining a personal licence for the retail
sale of alcohol can be taken in; and if he will amend his
Department’s criteria for accredited personal licence
course providers to stipulate that examinations must be
taken in English. [295065]
Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 22 October 2009]:
Accredited licence course providers decide what languages
tests can be taken in. I have no plans to make it a
requirement that exams be taken in English only, not
least as this would be contrary to the Department’s
Welsh language policy.
Listed Events Review
Mr. Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to make an
announcement on the Listed Events Review; and if he
will make a statement. [295378]
Mr. Sutcliffe: I expect to receive shortly the report of
the independent advisory panel on the future of listed
events. In the light of its recommendations I shall reach
my own preliminary conclusions and will consult further
on these with the broadcasting authorities and affected
rights holders, as required by the Broadcasting Act
1996, before reaching my final decisions.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport what account his
Department has taken of the BBC’s submission to the
Listed Events Review. [295398]
Mr. Sutcliffe: I expect to receive shortly the panel’s
report and recommendations. The panel has had the
benefit of the BBC’s submissions in response to the
consultation exercise. In the light of its recommendations
I shall reach my own preliminary conclusions and will
consult further on these with the broadcasting authorities
and affected rights holders, as required by the Broadcasting
Act 1996, before reaching my final decisions.
Local Press: Government Assistance
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport what steps he plans to
introduce to provide assistance to regional news
broadcasters. [294300]
Mr. Simon: The Digital Britain White Paper makes
clear that sustainable nations’ regional and local news is
a priority. The Government have decided to secure the
plural provision of this kind of content by awarding
funding to news consortia that will have the scope to
provide enhanced localness, provided in the Channel 3
broadcasting schedule to build on existing reach and
access to audiences, as well as via multi-platform delivery.
Music: Public Participation
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport what estimate his Department
has made of the number of adults who have (a) participated
in musical activity and (b) attended a music event in
each region in each of the last five years. [294750]
Mr. Simon: The information is as follows:
(a) Participation: proportion participating in music activities by Government office region (GOR)
Percentage
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
North East 13.0 10.6 10.3 10.3
North West 12.1 11.6 12.3 10.9
Yorkshire and Humberside 13.0 12.4 12.0 11.2
East Midlands 15.5 13.4 13.3 11.5
West Midlands 11.9 13.0 11.9 10.9
East of England 15.6 13.6 16.2 14.7
London 17.6 14.2 15.6 12.8
South East 15.9 15.2 15.1 15.6
South West 15.4 15.2 16.6 14.4
Total 14.7 13.5 14.0 12.8
(b) Attendance: proportion attending music events by GOR
Percentage
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
North East 41.4 42.3 39.0 39.6
North West 41.6 41.9 45.6 44.4