Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Sharma Excerpts

Wednesday 16th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con)]

9. What assessment he has made of future opportunities for creative industries in Northern Ireland.

[Alok Sharma (Reading West) (Con)]

11. What assessment he has made of future opportunities for creative industries in Northern Ireland.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Hugo Swire)]

The creative industries in Northern Ireland are worth £500 million a year and employ more than the agriculture sector. The new relief announced in the Budget will assist the industry directly and help to attract further blockbuster productions such as “Game of Thrones”, which was—indeed, is—filmed in Northern Ireland, creating 800 jobs.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There are some very noisy private conversations taking place. Let us have a bit of order for Mr Alok Sharma.

[Alok Sharma]

Does the Minister agree that the announcement in this year’s Budget to introduce corporation tax reliefs for film and television production will bring even more value to Northern Ireland’s proposition as a world-class production location?

[Mr Swire]

For my hon. Friend I repeat above the hullabaloo that Northern Ireland is a world-class destination for film and TV production. I welcome the moves taken in the Budget to encourage further investment there. The Paint Hall studio in the Titanic Quarter has recently been used for “City of Ember”, the mediaeval comedy “Your Highness”, and, of course, the first two series of the European “Game of Thrones”, which has so far brought about £43 million to the Northern Ireland economy. Yes, we are open for business, and if anyone out there is watching—I am sure there are many—come to see us in Northern Ireland and we will assure you of an excellent service.