§ Jean CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the United Kingdom"s contribution to the international film industry. [43500]
§ Dr. HowellsBetween 1997 and September 2001 four British films, "The Full Monty", "Notting Hill", "Chicken Run" and "Bridget Jones"s Diary", together grossed around £700 million at the worldwide box office. Recent major budget productions attracted to these shores such as "Tomb Raider", "Harry Potter and the Philosopher"s Stone", "Chocolat", "Killing me Softly" and "The Mummy Returns" have contributed to the overall inward investment figure of approximately £539 million in 2000. The Film Council"s Premiere Fund has a budget of £30 million of Lottery money over three years for the production of theatrical feature films that have the potential to attract significant audiences at home and abroad. The Film Council"s most recent release, Gosford Park, has already won a Golden Globe and has been nominated for seven "Oscars". The UK was one of the earliest signatories of the European Co-Production Convention and has seven bilateral co-production agreements with other countries. The UK also has a massive talent base, providing a major contribution to the world"s feature film industry.