§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will give a breakdown of the meetings and film screenings attended by(a) the Minister for Film and Tourism and (b) officials in his Department on the Minister's visit to the USA. [25549]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer Monday 26 January 1998]: During his visit to the United States, my right hon. Friend visited the Sundance Film Festival in Utah to promote British Film, and visited Los Angeles to discuss co-operation with the US industry. At the Sundance Festival, my right hon. Friend attended an informal lunch for key members of the British film industry and hosted a reception for a wider audience including many film makers from countries outside the US and UK. He also had discussions with the organisers of the Festival and with the Utah State Film Commissioner and attended screenings of 'Blind Faith' and 'The Spanish Prisoner'.
In Los Angeles, my right hon. Friend met senior executives at four of the seven major studios: Sony Pictures Entertainment; Fox Filmed Entertainment; Universal Studios; and Viacom/Paramount; and also Mr. Jack Valenti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Motion Picture Association, which represents the interests of the seven major studios. He also met senior executives at Polygram Filmed Entertainment and the head of International Creative Management. More informal discussions were held with representatives of the remaining major studios, other talent agencies and various US film makers during evening events. My right hon.
457WFriend also had lengthy discussions with FCO officials based in Los Angeles about the promotion of British interests in the United States.
My right hon. Friend was accompanied by his Private Secretary to all meetings and screenings both at Sundance and in Los Angeles, and my special adviser accompanied him to all meetings in Los Angeles.