§ Ms Roseanna Cunningham:To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the impact on film production companies arising from the United Kingdom's withdrawal from participation in the Eurimages scheme; and if she will make a statement. [12714]
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§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 30 January 1996]: I am confident that the very high quality of production facilities in this country, along with the excellent skills of those working in the industry, and the distribution value of the English language, will continue to make the British product truly competitive, and British production companies much sought after as co-production partners supported by the European co-production fund which my Department sponsors.
§ Ms CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultations took place prior to the announcement of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the Eurimages scheme; and with whom. [12713]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 30 January 1996]: Normal confidentiality requirements as to the contents of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement and my Department's spending plans did not allow for prior consultation.
§ Ms Cunningham:To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many United Kingdom production companies received awards from Eurimages in each year of the United Kingdom's participation in the scheme; what were the total amounts received each year; and if she will provide a breakdown by (a) nation and (b) region within the United Kingdom. [12711]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 30 January 1996]: The UK joined Eurimages in April 1993. The number of films awarded Eurimages funding and involving UK co-production companies since April 1993 was 12 in 1993, 21 in 1994 and 22 in 1995, and the total amounts awarded were FF23.3 million—£2.66 million—FF45.05 million—£5.45 million—and FF48.15 million—£6.138 respectively. The information necessary to provide a breakdown by (a) nation and (b) region within the United Kingdom is unavailable.
§ Ms Cunningham:To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are the estimated savings which are expected for 1996–97 as a result of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the Eurimages scheme; and if she will make a statement. [12715]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 30 January 1996]: My Department's contribution to Eurimages in 1995–96 was £2 million. The rate of exchange against the French Franc indicates that the subscription for 1996–97 would have been £2.6 million.
§ Ms Cunningham:To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many film production companies were awaiting a determination on funding from Eurimages when the United Kingdom withdrew from the scheme; and if she will provide a breakdown by (a) nation and (b) region within the United Kingdom. [12712]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 30 January 1996]: There were no Eurimages funding decisions involving UK companies outstanding when we announced our intention to withdraw from the scheme last November.