Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
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 support tourism in the North of England.
Answered by David Evennett
This Government recognises the strength and economic potential of the North of England's tourism offer. As set out in the Prime Minister's Five Point Plan, we are committed to encouraging more visitors to explore beyond London. Through the Northern Tourism Growth Fund, £10 million has been invested in projects to drive up international visitors to the North, and the £40 million Discover England fund will shortly be available to destinations all over the country. This Government will also support tourism in the North through the Great Exhibition of the North, the UK City of Culture year in Hull 2017, and the new Factory arts venue in Manchester. Following recent flooding, this Government has also supported tourism to the North of England through the launch of a £1 million campaign to drive domestic visitors to the area.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many defibrillators are provided in each building his Department manages.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
There is one defibrillator at the Government Art Collection, Queen’s Yard, 179a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7PA.
In addition, The Department has offices at 100 Parliament Street,a building shared between several Government departments, and there are 10defibrillators on site.Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2015 to Question 6371, whether he plans to reform the planning process to improve the ability of mobile network operators to deploy taller infrastructure in areas where connectivity is needed; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Yes. Extensive and reliable mobile connectivity is vital for our modern economy, particularly in rural areas. The Government has undertaken a review of the planning system to assess what improvements should be made to support the deployment of mobile infrastructure. The outcome of that review will be announced shortly, I hope.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2015 to Question 6371, when he plans that the reforms to the Electronic Communications Code will come into effect; if he will ensure that the new Code contains powers for mobile operators to more easily upgrade and share sites; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Government remains committed to delivering a reformed Electronic Communications Code that is clear, fit for purpose, and supports improvements in network coverage which provides consumers with a choice of high quality telecommunications services. We will update Parliament on plans in due course.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of reforming the Electronic Communications Code to grant mobile network operators enhanced rights to share sites to improve mobile voice and data coverage.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
My Department received a total of 153 responses to the consultation on the reform of the Electronic Communications Code. My officials are currently analysing these responses and I will respond in due course. The Government remains committed to delivering a reformed Code that is clear and fit for purpose, and support UK networks to provide consumers with a choice of high quality telecommunications services.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what reforms to the Electronic Communications Code his Department is proposing to improve the ability of mobile network operators to increase mobile voice and data coverage in rural areas.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Consultation on the reform of the Code closed on 30 April 2015. I currently have my officials analysing all of the responses and we will publish a response in due course. The Government aims to reform the current Code to promote network connectivity, expand coverage and take into account the legitimate interests of all parties.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when his Department will be publishing a response to its consultation on Reforming the Electronic Communications Code launched on 26 February 2015.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Department received a total of 153 response to the consultation launched in February 2015 on the reform of the Electronic Communications Code, my officials are currently analysing these responses and I will respond to Parliament as soon as possible.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with Ofcom on mobile telephones and mid-contract price increases.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
I have regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of issues.
Government pressure recently led to reform in this area. As a result, for contracts entered into after 23 January 2014, when the core price increases mid-contract, consumers can exit their contracts without penalty and hence can switch to another provider or tariff. This applies to all communications providers.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many schools will benefit from his broadband rollout for schools.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Government has committed £780million to help deliver superfast broadband to 95 per cent of UK premises by 2017. We do not have data on the specific number of schools that would benefit from the programme. Public sector broadband requirements would be the managed by the department or local authority with responsibility for delivering the relevant policy.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
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 mobile network operators about shared infrastructure; and if he will use the forthcoming review of the Electronic Communications Code to reform wayleases and rights of way for the implementation and maintenance of shared infrastructure.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller, and I had a number of representations from mobile network operators about shared infrastructure. DCMS is considering the implications of the Law Commission's report on the Electronic Communications Code which was published in February 2013. The analysis work is ongoing and I will make public the plans to reform the Electronic Communications Code in due course.