Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to support events in Great Britain to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021.
Answered by Baroness Morgan of Cotes
The Northern Ireland Office has lead responsibility within Government for exploring options to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021. My Department will work alongside the NIO, where appropriate, to support that work.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to increase support for motor sports in the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps have been taken by the Government in response to the recommendation in paragraph 6.7 of the Council of Europe Resolution 2036 (2015) on encouraging the media to avoid negative stereotyping and communicating prejudices against Christians, in the same way as for any other group.
Answered by Margot James
Inciting religious hatred is a crime and the government will not tolerate hate speech against any religion or community. There is a robust regulatory framework in place for broadcasting enforced by Ofcom, the independent communications regulator. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code makes clear that, unless justified by the context, content which includes hate speech or derogatory material in regards to any individuals, groups, religions or communities must not be included in TV or radio broadcasts. With regard to written media, the government is committed to a free and independent press and does not interfere with what is published, as long as the press abides by the law, including laws against hate speech.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans the Government has to ratify the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage; what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on that ratification; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Tracey Crouch
Government remains committed to reconsidering the case for ratification of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. A decision on timescales for reviewing the Convention will be made in late Spring 2017.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War.
Answered by Helen Grant - Shadow Solicitor General
On 14 November 2014 the Prime Minster announced three key events to mark the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign and honour the fallen, who so bravely fought for their nations.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cape Helles Memorial in Turkey will host a UK-led Commonwealth and Ireland ceremony on 24 April 2015. On 25 April 2015 the National Commemoration of the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign and Anzac Day, a special centenary event led by the UK Government, will be held at the Cenotaph in London. On 6 August 2015 the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth will host an event based upon the refurbished HMS M33, the last surviving ship from the campaign.
I am extremely honoured to be part of such celebrations of immense bravery. This Government and DCMS is committed to marking the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War with respect uppermost in our minds.