HC Deb 09 June 1997 vol 295 cc320-1W
Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total annual budget for Scottish Screen; and if he will provide a breakdown of the categories within that budget and the money allocated to each category. [2192]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: The cash limit for Scottish Screen in 1997–98 is £1,975,000. Scottish Screen forecasts that it will receive additional income of £711,000 making a total budget of £2.7 million. Budgets for the 8 departments have been prepared for Board approval.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the names and designations of the persons within Scottish Screen with authority to make expenditure commitments on its behalf. [2193]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 9 June 1997]: The expenditure of Scottish Screen is the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Mr. John Archer. He delegates as appropriate to the heads of the departments of Scottish Screen.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings have been held by the Board of Scottish Screen since it inception. [2194]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: One: the first meeting of the Board of Scottish Screen was held on 5 June.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how may times per year the Board of Scottish Screen is expected to meet; and how many times it is scheduled to meet in 1997. [2195]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: The Board of Scottish Screen will decide how frequently it will meet. Three further meetings are planned for 1997.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were(a) the total number of people and (b) the names of the people sent to the Cannes Film Festival at the expense of Scottish Screen; and what was the expenditure incurred by Scottish Screen in respect of representation at that festival. [2197]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Nine persons attended. Mr. John Archer, Ms Celia Stevenson, Mr. Eddie Dick, Ms Catherine Aitken, Mr. Oscar Van Heek, Ms Lesley Anderson, Ms Judy Anderson, Ms Emma Valentine and Ms Maxine Baker. The total includes four who were committed to attend the Festival by the organisation which employed them before April 1997. The expenditure incurred, including the launch of Scottish Screen at the Scottish film day, was approximately £20,000.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions took place between the Government and the Opposition with regard to the appointment of the chairman of Scottish Screen. [2199]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: No consultation took place between the previous Administration and the then Opposition about this appointment.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the expenditure commitments made by Scottish Screen since its inception, listing the categories within the overall budget from which those commitments have been made. [2200]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Scottish Screen has made the following commitments since its inception:

£
Grant to the Edinburgh Film Festival (this is in addition to £366,000 inherited commitments for Regional Film Theatres and Festivals 58,500
Cataloguing the Archive (contingent on a Lottery fund application) 41,200
Training awards 14,100
Moonstone International 17,500
Film Development Awards 16,250
Total 147,550

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current status of the Scottish Arts Council inquiry into the productions assisted by the Scottish Film Production Fund, with which the chairman of Scottish Screen was associated. [2209]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: The Scottish Arts Council is satisfied that all Lottery film awards have met the requirements of public accountability.

Ms Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangement the Scottish Office has put in place(a) to monitor the performance of Scottish Screen and (b) to make publicly available reports on the performance of Scottish Screen. [2208]

Mr. Galbraith

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: The performance of Scottish Screen will be measured against the objectives set in its Corporate Plan which will be approved by Ministers each year. Scottish Screen's Annual Reports will reflect the extent to which the objectives set have been achieved.