§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage cinema owners to commit screen time to British films. [89409]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 2 July 1999]: The Government have no specific plans to ask cinema owners to commit screen time to British films. However, the recent Film Policy review identified a number of measures aimed at improving the performance and distribution of British films. Once established, the new Film Council will take forward this strategy.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many British films financed in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997 took advantage of capital gains tax reinvestment relief; what was the total value of equity investment in respect of these films; and what are the equivalent figures for the period since April 1998; [89413]
(2) what representations he has received regarding the effect on the British film industry of merging capital gains tax reinvestment relief with the enterprise investment scheme. [89397]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 2 July 1999]: My Department has received representations from one promoter of a film investment scheme. The evaluation of specific tax-based schemes is a matter for the Inland Revenue.
The detailed information requested on capital gains tax reinvestment relief is not available. Figures for the period since April 1998 would be available only at disproportionate cost.