§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what measures he proposes to advance the application of Belfast to be named European City of Culture. [78355]
§ Angela SmithOn 30 October 2002, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced the shortlist of six cities which were successful in being nominated as Centres of Culture and will now be under consideration for the final nomination of European Capital of Culture 2008 in Spring 2003.
I regret that Belfast was not among the six cities shortlisted by the independent judging panel and therefore Belfast is no longer in competition for designation as European Capital of Culture in 2008.