§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is on the recognition of cinema as a cultural and regenerative opportunity in unitary development plans. [149956]
§ Estelle MorrisThe UK Film Council's network of Regional Screen Agencies (RSAs) work with key local authorities to position film within cultural plans, and to emphasise the value of cinema as a cultural and regenerative opportunity in unitary development plans.
A number of RSAs are also developing, with local authorities, proposals around cinema exhibition in rural and market towns. This research will emphasise the effects which a working cinema can have on a range of social, cultural and economic issues. The UK Film Council, in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI) and the RSAs, is currently carrying out research into the social and economic impact of town centre cinemas which is expected to back up the work of RSAs with local authorities.