§ Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether regeneration is one of the criteria for the selection of the European City of Culture 2008; and whether regeneration is a factor which will be considered during the UK bidding process. [107926]
§ Mr. CabornThe proposals put forward by each of the six shortlisted cities are being considered against the European Union's criteria, which are set out in Decision 1419/1999/EC, and the additional criteria set out by the Government in the document Criteria and Information for Applicants. The city which is selected as our nomination for European Capital of Culture 2008 will be the one which, in the opinion of the independent advisory panel and the Government, best meets all the criteria and will organise the most successful year-long programme in 2008.
Regeneration is not specifically mentioned in either the European Union's criteria or the Government's additional criteria. However, a number of the criteria relate to the development of the cultural infrastructure, architecture and the urban environment. In addressing these criteria, cities have the opportunity to demonstrate the contribution which culture can make to regeneration.