§ Mr. SimonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of Birmingham's bid to be designated European Capital of Culture.[108182]
§ Mr. CabornWe have appointed an Independent Advisory Panel to assess all the bids. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will wait for the panel's final report and recommendation before reaching any conclusions about any of the six shortlisted bids.
§ Mr. SimonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received in support of Birmingham's bid to be designated European Capital of Culture. [108183]
§ Mr. CabornWe have received many representations in support of Birmingham being designated European Capital of Culture, from both people in Birmingham and from elsewhere in the West Midlands.
§ Mr. SimonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to visit Birmingham to discuss the city's bid to be designated European Capital of Culture. [108184]
§ Mr. CabornMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to visit Birmingham or any of the other shortlisted cities to discuss their bids to be designated European Capital of Culture. However she may visit on other business and in order to present a certificate to mark their designation as a Centre of Culture.
§ Mr. SimonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the independent expert panel who will judge Birmingham's bid to be designated European Capital of Culture. [108187]
§ Mr. CabornMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the Chair and members of the Independent Advisory Panel on 26 March to discuss with them the progress of the competition and their approach to the assessment of the six shortlisted bids.