HC Deb 06 February 2002 vol 379 cc981-3W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the state of preparations reached for celebrations between 1 and 4 June for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations. [30705]

Tessa Jowell

Preparations for the programme of events that I announced on 3 August 2001, are on schedule. Further announcements will be made about the concerts in Buckingham Palace gardens and the carnival pageant when the final details have been settled.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish the objectives of the Golden Jubilee Office and make a statement on its progress in achieving its objectives so far. [31081]

Tessa Jowell

[holding answer 28 January 2002]The Queen's programme is being planned by Buckingham Palace. Working closely with the Palace, the Golden Jubilee Office is liaising with key Government Departments and other organisations in supporting and facilitating the celebrations. The 61 separate initiatives for the celebrations are being delivered effectively through 12 project plans, all of which are on target.

Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effectiveness and organisation of the planning of the celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. [31605]

Tessa Jowell

[holding answer 30 January 2002]The Queen's programme is being planned by Buckingham Palace. Working closely with the Palace, the Golden Jubilee Office is liaising with key Government Departments and other organisations in supporting and facilitating the celebrations. The 61 separate initiatives for the celebrations are being delivered effectively through 12 project plans, all of which are on target.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken since her appointment to ensure that the Queen's Golden Jubilee is celebrated in a manner that reflect the wishes of the public. [31083]

Tessa Jowell

[holding answer 28 January 2002]The Government are working closely with Buckingham Palace to facilitate the celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in a way that embraces the six themes for the jubilee:celebration; giving thanks; service; involving the whole community; looking forward as well as back; and the Commonwealth, while adhering to her wish that there should be no undue expenditure from public funds. It is for local communities to decide how they wish to celebrate the Jubilee.

To help communities plan their local celebrations, the Golden Jubilee Office has distributed 20,000 Golden Jubilee celebrations toolkits to councils, Citizens' Advice Bureaux, libraries, a wide range of organisations across England, Scotland and Wales and the media. A further 10,000 copies have been subsequently requested. A reprint has been ordered to meet the current high level of demand. In addition, a team of representatives from Buckingham Palace and the Golden Jubilee Office are delivering joint briefings across the United Kingdom. To date, they have briefed over 450 organisations. More briefings are planned.

Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she is taking to encourage local authorities to organise events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty the Queen; and if she will make a statement. [31755]

Tessa Jowell

The Government are working closely with Buckingham Palace to facilitate the celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in a way that embraces the six themes for the jubilee: celebration; giving thanks; service; involving the whole community; looking forward as well as back; and the Commonwealth, while adhering to her wish that there should be no undue expenditure from public funds. It is for local communities to decide how they wish to celebrate the Jubilee.

To help communities plan their local celebrations, the Golden Jubilee Office has distributed 20,000 Golden Jubilee celebrations toolkits to councils, Citizens' Advice Bureaux, libraries, a wide range of organisations across England, Scotland and Wales and the media. A further 10,000 copies have been subsequently requested. A reprint has been ordered to meet the current high level of demand. In addition, a team of representatives from Buckingham Palace and the Golden Jubilee Office are delivering joint briefings across the United Kingdom. To date, they have briefed over 450 organisations. More briefings are planned.