National Gallery: Visitor Services
Debate between Earl of Glasgow and Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The noble Lord knows very well that the creative industries across this land are in a very vibrant state and contribute hugely to our national economy. They are to be congratulated. I repeat: the National Gallery is one of the last galleries to undertake this process. I discussed this matter with other museums. This is a success story—and a success story for the staff concerned.
The Earl of Glasgow (LD)
Are the Government considering allowing these changes to be made because they are dissatisfied in some way with the visitor service being provided at the moment, or is it done for ideological reasons?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, this is a matter for the National Gallery. It is not about an ideology but about securing a better future for the National Gallery and for more people to be able to visit this great institution at weekends and evenings. Yes, the gallery wants to increase its revenue stream. That should be applauded by everyone. However, this is about a success story and building upon it.
Culture: Art House Cinemas
Debate between Earl of Glasgow and Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
First, I think that the British Film Institute is doing a great deal of important work, with many programmes. The one that I will mention to the noble Baroness is the BFI Neighbourhood programme, which is part of a programme to help establish and develop up to 1,000 community venues for films across the UK. That is an important feature of what the British Film Institute is seeking to do. In addition, there are of course many other initiatives that the BFI is particularly concerned about, to ensure that there is the broadest range of opportunities for people to see films.
The Earl of Glasgow (LD)
My Lords, these so-called art-house cinemas are very important to the health of the British film industry. They are sometimes the only place where our films ever get shown. Does the Minister fully appreciate the importance of their survival, particularly outside London and the major cities?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, my noble friend is absolutely right. The picture houses are very important, particularly outside London; in particular in Cambridge, which of course is the venue for the Cambridge Film Festival. There are many reasons why these establishments are particularly important. They are part of our global reach, and all film industry is very important for the British economy. That, of course, is why the film industry has the tax relief it does, which is an indication of the Government’s support for it.
British Board of Film Classification
Debate between Earl of Glasgow and Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The noble Lord again raises an important point. That is why, across the piece, the Government, industry and charity, through the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, are working so much together and why the Secretary of State is having a summit meeting on 18 June with the major internet service providers, mobile operators, search engines and social media companies to explore all that can be done to ensure that children remain safe.
The Earl of Glasgow
My Lords, is the Minister aware of the scheme practised quite a lot in Italy by which DVDs and controversial material of that sort are classified by the users themselves and the users’ classification then becomes legal?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
I have been quite busy learning about what happens in the United Kingdom, so I was not aware of what might be happening in Italy. However, I think—and I am sure it is what my noble friend was alluding to—we need to make sure that whether it is by age verification or whatever that children remain secure.