§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What issues were discussed at the European Union Cultural Council on 23 November; what conclusions were reached; and what future action will be taken by Her Majesty's Government as result of those conclusions. [HL127]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyAt the Culture/Audiovisual Council held in Brussels on 23 November, the Presidency reported on the ongoing conciliation process for the Culture 2000 programme.
93WAThe Council agreed a resolution on the promotion of the free movement of persons working in the cultural sector. The Commission will carry out a study on the obstacles to free movement, and the results will be presented at the beginning of the French Presidency. The Council agreed conclusions on the cultural industries and employment in Europe. There was some discussion of the successor pogramme to MEDIA II and we now await the Commission's proposals for this, which are expected shortly. The Council adopted conclusions on the protection of minors in the context of development in digital audiovisual services. These encourage the parties concerned, (manufacturers, broadcasters and operators), to co-operate in considering ways of evaluating and rating audiovisual content in order to assist parents in the protection of minors. Several cultural initiatives carried out by member states in support of reconciliation in Kosovo were also announced.