§ Baroness Nicolasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made in building on the ideas submitted as bids in the competition for European Capital of Culture 2008. [HL4153]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyFurther to the Prime Minister's response to the honourable Member for Cardiff North, in another place on 4 June, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and her ministerial colleagues have now visited or met all the cities that were shortlisted in the bidding process for the title of European Capital of Culture 2008 and discussed their plans with them. We want to build on the momentum generated by the Capital of Culture process and it is clear there is considerable interest in the cities in doing so. Yesterday, my right honourable friend discussed ideas176WA with representatives of all 12 cities that took part in the bidding. We had hoped to make a ministerial statement on detailed proposals before the summer recess but the cities indicated that they would like more time and my right honourable friend will now make the statement in the autumn.