§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the outcome was of the Culture and Audio Council held in Brussels on 23 November; and if he will make a statement. [140686]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthI represented the United Kingdom at the Culture/Audiovisual Council held in Brussels on 23 November. Agreement was reached on the proposed MEDIA Plus programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European films and training for professionals in the audio-visual sector. Under the new programme—for which a budget of euro 400 million (approximately £240 million) was agreed—British audiovisual companies will be able to seek European Union funding for projects, including initiatives with other European partners. The Council will now seek the formal agreement of the European Parliament to the training component of the programme.
The Council also discussed the important role of public sector broadcasting in the European Union, state aid for the EU film and audiovisual industries, book pricing and the importance of promoting high quality public buildings and improving public awareness of good architecture and design in the built environment.
A report of the Council meeting has been prepared and I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses once it has been translated into English.