HC Deb 22 March 2001 vol 365 cc345-6W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [151911]

nations of the UK, indicating the number employed in these industries (a) as a percentage of the total employed in the UK and (b) as a percentage of the total employed in each region and nation of the UK. [154810]

Mr. Chris Smith

Estimates of the distribution of employment in the creative industries in the regions and nations of the UK are shown in the table.

Mr. Chris Smith

Through their commitment to public service broadcasting, the Government have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high-quality, original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secured funding base for the BBC and S4C, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit. We have made it clear in the Communications White Paper that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future.

The Government have also introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over from 1 November last year. Information on the number of beneficiaries by constituency is not available, but estimates based on the 1991 census indicate that there were approximately 4,800 people aged 75 or over living in the Clwyd, South constituency.

My Department sponsors the British Tourist Authority (BTA), which continues to promote Britain effectively as an attractive tourist destination for overseas visitors. The BTA's successful marketing activities are aimed at bringing benefits to all parts of the UK, including Clwyd, South.

According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 112 national lottery awards to Clwyd, South, totalling £2,021,757 since 2 May 1997. Twenty five Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Clwyd, South and between them they have received grants totalling £75,188.