HC Deb 07 February 1996 vol 271 cc249-50W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what external advice she has sought on the contractual effects of Her Majesty's Government's decision to withdraw from Eurimages. [12988]

Mr. Sproat

None.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate she has made of the additional amount of investment leveraged by Eurimages in each of the last three years. [12986]

Mr. Sproat

Eurimages usually completes the funding package by contributing around 10 per cent. of the budget for films which have already attracted funding from a number of other public and private sector sources, and recoups about 3 per cent. of its contributions overall. It is not possible to identify the amount of additional private investment which might otherwise have been secured.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the cost of her Department's subscription to Eurimages in each of the last three years. [12927]

Mr. Sproat

The cost of the Department's subscription to Eurimages in each of the last three years has been as follows: £1,318,856 in 1993; £1,913,206 in 1994 and £2,469,902 in 1995.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many British films have received assistance from Eurimages in each of the last three years. [12985]

Mr. Sproat

The number of films awarded Eurimages funding and involving UK co-production companies since the UK joined in April 1993 was 12 in 1993, 21 in 1994 and 22 in 1995.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what notice her Department gave of its intention to withdraw from Eurimages; and to what extent this was in line with the relevant Council of Europe resolution. [12987]

Mr. Sproat

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 notice to be given of our intention to withdraw. My Department will, of course, abide by obligations arising from the relevant Council of Europe resolution.