§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to attract more film productions to the United Kingdom. [61907]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Government seek to create an economic environment in which the film industry can flourish, including through tax relief.
The British Film Commission (BFC), which is a division of the Film Council, is responsible (with the British Film Office in Los Angeles) for promoting the use of British locations, facilities and production personnel to overseas film and television producers.
It delivers its objectives by working alongside a network of regional screen agencies to provide a comprehensive and free information service to international production executives. It compiles up-to-date information on all aspects of film production in the UK. The information is disseminated through its website, various marketing materials and by holding international seminars.
Earlier this year, the BFC completed a major US marketing exercise in both Los Angeles and New York to encourage inward investment into the UK. 20 seminars were held on film financing, production and post-production. They were attended by representatives from each of the seven major Hollywood studios, as well as independent producers, lawyers and film financiers.
Recent major productions attracted to the UK by the BFC include Band of Brothers, Chocolat, Lam Croft: Tomb Raider (and sequel currently in pre-production), The Mummy Returns, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the sequel currently in production. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.