§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on Government support for the UK film industry since 1997. [101641]
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§ Dr.HowellsFollowing the film policy review in 1998, my Department established the Film Council in April 2000 as the Government's strategic lead body. The creation of the Film Council brought together, for the first time, responsibility for the film industry, film culture and education.
The Film Council uses grant-in-aid and money from the national lottery to support film-making and development, training, education and film culture. Film production is also supported by tax relief for British qualifying films under section 48 of the Finance (No 2) Act, which was introduced in 1997.
My Department also sponsors the National Film and Television School, which is a leading international centre for professional training in the film and television industries.