§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many films were refused British certification in(a) 2001, (b) 2000, (c) 1999 and (d) 1998; [5557]
(2) what was the average time taken by her Department to make a decision on British certification once a film had been submitted in each of the last four years; [5558]
(3) how many films received British certification in (a) 2001, (b) 2000, (c) 1999 and (d) 1998. [5556]
§ Dr. HowellsNo central record is kept of cases being refused. The Department is, however, aware of the following numbers of films being refused certification:
Year Film 20011 1 2000 1 1999 1 1998 0 11 January to 30 June The number of certificates issued is as follows:
Year Certificates 20011 400 2000 685 1999 142 1998 196 11 January to 30 June No central record exists of the time taken, but the bulk of applications in each of the last four years have been dealt with within two weeks. Some applications take longer to process where, for example, incomplete information is provided by the applicant.