Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to promote greater transparency and dissemination of information by broadband providers to customers on charges incurred when changing suppliers.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Ofcom is committed to assisting consumers to exercise their choice and switch broadband service providers with greater ease and convenience. The new regime of Gaining Provider Led Notification of Transfer (GPL NoT) for switching between broadband providers that use the Openreach copper network should be implemented by June 2015. This new process should make changing providers more straightforward and transparent for consumers. No charges should be made for switching provider, however consumers must be aware of contractual obligations that might apply – such as the cost of leaving a contract early or charges for new equipment from the receiving provider.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress his Department has made on refurbishment projects and national events first announced by the Government in 2012 to mark the UK's centenary commemoration of the start of the First World War.
Answered by Helen Grant
The new First World War galleries at imperial War Museum London, opened to great acclaim in July. This major regeneration project has provided a highly engaging focus for the centenary commemorations as well as a lasting legacy for future generations. Our commemorative events on 4 August in Glasgow, Belgium and London were well-received and set an appropriate tone for this four year programme of commemoration. Planning for our next national events to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign in April next year is well underway.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what statistics his Department holds on trends in the number of people who work full time as writers; and if he will take steps to encourage people to pursue careers as writers.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Office for National Statistics regularly publishes information on the numbers of people working in different occupations in the United Kingdom. The most recent update shows that, between April and June 2014, the number of ‘authors, writers and translators’ working full-time was 47,000. Arts Council England funds organisations nationwide including National Portfolio Organisations offering high quality creative and professional training to writers, particularly aimed at emerging talent and funds and supports individual writers/literature via the Grants for the Arts funding scheme.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage community organisations to take up EU funding offered by the Europe for Citizens Programme and similar schemes in order to commemorate the centenary of World War I through exchanges and visits.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
During the passage of the European Approval Act 2013 I took great care to emphasise the opportunities the Europe for Citizens Programme offers for commemoration of the First World War. The Government will deliver a four year programme to mark the First World War centenary through a package of funded activity worth over £125m. Alongside the UK centenary programme, the Europe for Citizens programme will provide opportunities to develop a greater understanding of the period between those who were both allies and adversaries at the time
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games will provide lasting benefits to the area.
Answered by Helen Grant
The UK Government is working with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, the Organising Committee and others to ensure that the 2014 Glasgow Games will be success for Glasgow. The Scottish Government has published its legacy programme and initiatives for the Glasgow Games.
The UK Government is supporting a joint business conference with the Scottish Government and the Commonwealth Business Council and the British Business House. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office used the UK's extensive diplomatic network during the Queen's Baton Relay to promote Scottish business and tourism and Visit Britain is using the Games to promote tourism in Scotland.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which media organisations in the UK have received funding from the European Parliament to promote coverage of EU-level decision-making in the last three years.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Information published by the European Parliament indicates that no UK media organisations received funding in 2011, 2012 or 2013.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding the UK has contributed to the European Parliament's House of European History Project to date.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The UK Government has not provided any direct support for this project but the House of European History Project is funded by the wider European Parliament budget.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential for growth in tourism as a result of the opening stages of the Giro d'Italia taking place in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Helen Grant
I have not held any discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential for growth in tourism as a result of the opening stages of the Giro d'Italia taking place in Northern Ireland. However, I would like to congratulate them on having won the right to stage the Big Start of this major cycling race on 9-11 May, which will further support Northern Ireland's wonderful tourism offer and boost the economy.