§ 10. Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold)What measures he is taking to increase investment in the British film industry. [114861]
§ The Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting (Janet Anderson)The Government have set up a strategic body, the Film Council, which will be in place on 1 April under the able chairmanship of Alan Parker, with the specific task of helping to develop a sustainable UK film industry. Over the next three years, the council will have about £150 million in grant in aid and lottery funding to support film.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownI am sure that the whole House would wish to congratulate last night's British Oscar winners, Michael Caine and Mike Leigh and, in particular, Sam Mendes on his film "American Beauty". Will the Minister therefore examine how it is that more than £100 million of lottery money has been spent on 60 films that virtually no one will ever see let alone go on general release? Would it not be better for lottery funds in the future to go towards seedcorn money producing the Oscar-winning films, such as "American Beauty", of the future?
§ Janet AndersonThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that, in future, this will be a matter for the Film Council. The total level of lottery support for film in England is £97 million to date. Perhaps more importantly, the total cost of films supported was £378 million, so the gearing is about three to one. It is important to highlight that, under this Government, investment in film production in the United Kingdom last year was £570 million, up £93 million on the previous year. It is clear that the interests of the British film industry are very dear to the Government's heart.
§ Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge and Chryston)Does my hon. Friend agree that she and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State should be beaming with pride at last night's brilliant British successes in the Oscars? Does she further agree that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor's tax concessions and the Government's strategy for film as a creative industry suggests that the success of British film is there? Not only have the Brits arrived, but we are saying to the world that they ain't seen nothing yet.
§ Janet AndersonMy right hon. Friend is right. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to him, because when he was the Minister with responsibility for film, he was responsible for the film policy action group, which produced the document, "A Bigger Picture", and for securing the tax concession that has done so much to regenerate the film industry. He is right to say that the Brits have arrived, and we are very proud of the success of all our people in the Oscars last night. That just goes to show that we have a pool of excellent skills and talent here, and it is no wonder that more and more people want to make their films in Britain.
§ Mr. Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey)May I associate myself with the tributes that have been paid to our talented people who have again done well in Hollywood, and who include Phil Collins, who has not yet been mentioned? However, those people did not get very much out of the national lottery. Is the Minister happy that hardly any of the 60 films that have so far been funded by the lottery have earned anything like enough money to cover their 15 costs? Is she proud of the fact that of the £97 million of lottery money that has gone into those projects, less than £6 million has so far been paid back?
I suggest that the hon. Lady and the Secretary of State nominate themselves for a golden raspberry award because the criteria for that award correspond exactly with their achievements. As the president of the Golden Raspberry Foundation said, they
spend too much, entertain no one and fall flat on their face.
§ Janet AndersonThe hon. Gentleman's attempts at humour get more and more pathetic with every Question Time. May I give him a little advice? If he is to continue with this portfolio, he ought to read a little more about the subject and make sure that he is better informed when he comes to the House. "Topsy Turvy", which won two awards last night, for best make-up and best costume and design, is a British film and was made with the help of £2 million of lottery funding from the Arts Council.
Moreover, is the hon. Gentleman saying that films that we have all enjoyed, such as "Hilary and Jackie", "Ratcatcher", "My Name is Joe", "Shooting Fish" and "An Ideal Husband"—which is the most successful lottery film—should not have been made? If so, the British film industry will be listening carefully to his remarks.