Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jeffrey M Donaldson Excerpts
Wednesday 16th May 2012

(12 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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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.

Jeffrey M Donaldson Portrait Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP)
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Will the Minister encourage the British film industry to make more use of the facilities available to it in Northern Ireland?

Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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I rather hoped that was what I had just done, but I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s question so that I can repeat again that Northern Ireland is a great location, providing a great landscape, very willing people, a hard-working work force, financial incentives and great studio production facilities. More than that I cannot say.