§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met representatives of(a) the film company Alchymie and (b) the finance company Flashpoint; and if he will make a statement. [114973]
§ Mr. Chris SmithI met directors of Flashpoint in May 1999 and attended the launch of Alchymie in October 1999.
As Secretary of State for the Department with responsibility for film policy, I frequently have meetings with representatives of the film industry and attend industry events. Given that our policy, as set out in the 1998 report of the Film Policy Review Group, is to encourage the growth of a self-sustaining, commercial film sector, I welcome efforts by the industry to establish new initiatives, such as Alchymie, which combine the production and commercial exploitation of British films. The success of such initiatives, however, depends not on any Government involvement, but on their commercial performance in a competitive and volatile market.