HC Deb 09 November 1998 vol 319 c65W
23. Ms Christine Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people are employed in the cultural and creative industries. [57266]

Mr. Chris Smith

On Friday I published a document, produced on behalf of the Creative Industries Task Force, which I chair, which attempts to analyse for the first time the economic impact of the diverse and dynamic sectors which constitute the creative industries. We estimate the creative industries to turn over nearly £60 billion a year and to employ 1½ million people, making them an increasingly significant element in the national economy.