§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the BBC concerning the televising of Holocaust Memorial Day 2002; and if he will make a statement. [14721]
§ Angela EagleFollowing their successful collaboration with the Home Office in producing and televising the 639W national ceremony to mark the first United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January, the BBC have developed plans for covering Holocaust Memorial Day in the future. These will culminate in a major live televised ceremonial event on 27 January 2005, the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz. My officials will take up the BBC's invitation to discuss with them their strategy for covering Holocaust Memorial Day over the next four years, and to include representatives from the Home Office-led strategic group planning Holocaust Memorial Day.
§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the BBC televising the Holocaust Memorial Day national event; and if he will make a statement. [14501]
§ Angela EagleAll those organisations involved in helping the Home Office plan the national event on Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2002 have expressed their disappointment that the BBC have decided to televise the national event every five years only, the next time on 27 January 2005 the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz.
However, the BBC have made an unequivocal commitment to mark Holocaust Memorial Day each year in a range of appropriate ways. They have invited Home Office officials and those organisations involved in planning Holocaust Memorial Day to discuss their strategy for the next four years with them. Their proposed strategy contains a differing mix of documentary, drama, current affairs, children's programming and news coverage each year leading to a major live ceremonial event for 2005.
In January 2002 the BBC have a major original film drama "Conspiracy", starring Kenneth Brannagh, about Reinhard Heydrich and the Wannsee Conference; their television religious strands "The Heaven and Earth Show" and "Songs of Praise" plan to feature Holocaust related material in their programmes on 27 January; the BBC are looking at a special edition of their BBC 2 current affairs programme "Correspondent" during the Holocaust Memorial weekend and it is likely that various programmes from Children's BBC will take up the theme too.
The BBC also intend to cover the national event next 27 January on their news bulletins on BBC 1 and 2 and on News 24, and likely on radio too.
§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact that the televised commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day had on the understanding of the general public of the issues raised. [14500]
§ Angela EagleThere was an estimated audience of 1.2 million for the ceremony televised live on 27 January 2001 which got one of the highest quality ratings for a TV programme. Many people said they found the event both moving and challenging. In addition, many others will have become aware of the purpose of Holocaust Memorial Day through the many local activities around the country, particularly in schools, to mark the day.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the local events to be held for Holocaust Memorial Day 2002. [14202]
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§ Angela EagleWe anticipate there will again be a wide range of local activities around the country to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Further guidance has been produced to help local authorities and community groups to plan their events; and new material for use in schools has also been produced. In each case the guidance has drawn on good practice from this year and suggestions for improvement identified through surveys of local authorities and schools.