<p>Negotiations are continuing on an EU Regulation on net neutrality, as part of the
Connected Continent package. Should a common position be agreed between the European
Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, and the Regulation adopted,
the Regulation will be directly applicable in UK law.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking
to increase the availability of fibre-optic broadband to businesses in (a) Pendle
constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the North West.
<p>Current superfast broadband coverage is over 80% of UK premises and the Government
remains committed to providing 95% coverage to homes and businesses by 2017.</p><p><br>Commercial
broadband delivery is expected to cover 62% of premises in the Pendle constituency.
By the end of the Superfast Lancashire project, coverage is expected to have increased
to 98% of premises.</p><p><br>This data is included in the table in the House of Commons
Library:<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/commons/deposited-papers/?house=1&search_term=Department+for+Culture%2c+Media+and+Sport&itemId=122028#toggle-163"
target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/commons/deposited-papers/?house=1&search_term=Department+for+Culture%2c+Media+and+Sport&itemId=122028#toggle-163</a></p><p><br>As
of June 2014, Lancashire had 74% superfast broadband coverage (speeds of more than
30Mbps+) as stated in the Ofcom Infrastructure Report 2014. By the end of 2017 the
Government expects there will be 97.5% superfast coverage to homes and businesses
in Lancashire.</p><p> </p><p><br>The Government does not have data of superfast broadband
at regional level.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will request that
the Natural History Museum stops its practice of gender-specific marketing of toys.
<p>The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is in regular contact with the Natural
History Museum. The Natural History Museum is passionate about science learning and
careers for all. Following its recent collaboration with Marks and Spencer to create
a dinosaur-themed clothing line, the Natural History Museum is working with the retailer’s
design team to expand the range to include products for girls.</p><p> </p><p>The Museum
is committed to diversity in engagement and learning and in the development of scientific
careers. In its education programmes and exhibitions, as well as through the press
and social media, its scientists are a diverse group of role models inspiring the
next generation. Products in the Museum shop are displayed without gender differentiation
for children, and the Museum’s own children’s clothing range is cut for a unisex fit.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>Licensing for retail items plays an important role in generating revenue
for the Museum to run their activities and exhibitions and conduct scientific research,
and therefore the Museum often works with commercial partners. Product ranges being
separated by female and male options is standard retail practice for many high street
retailers.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer
of 3 March 2015 to Question 225611, on broadband: urban area, how much funding from
the SuperConnected Cities budget has been assigned to each city; and how much has
been spent (a) in total, (b) on broadband connection vouchers, (c) on free WiFi in
public buildings, (d) on advertising and (e) on other items to date in (i) the programme
as a whole and (ii) each city.
<p>The 22 SuperConnected Cities were given 'up to' funding allocations at the start
of the SuperConnected Cities Programme. Spending priorities have developed over the
course of the Programme, and the cities are now committed to delivering over 10,000
vouchers, free public Wi-Fi in 1,000 public buildings and on buses, trams and trains,
as well as other digital connectivity projects for a total spend of around £80m. The
majority of the spend will come at the end of the Programme - particularly with vouchers
where there is a period of time between when the voucher is issued and the connection
work is completed - with some wrap up costs in the next financial year.</p><p>For
Northern Ireland and Scotland funding is given to cities via the budget transfer system,
so a split for spending on individual projects is not applicable.</p><p>The table
below outlines the original 'up to' allocations and current spend across the 22 cities
of the Programme.</p><p>It is not possible to provide city allocations for marketing
as it was a nationwide campaign.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="8"><p><strong>England
and Wales</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>"Up To" Allocation</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£M</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p><strong>Spend to February (Qtr 3 claims) 2014-15</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td><td><p><strong>£M</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td><p><strong>CVS</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>WFPB</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>OTHER</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Birmingham</p></td><td><p><strong>8.25</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Birmingham</p></td><td><p>0.39</p></td><td><p>0.39</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>0.78</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Brighton</p></td><td><p><strong>2.52</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Brighton</p></td><td><p>0.07</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p>0.56</p></td><td><p><strong>0.63</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bristol</p></td><td><p><strong>11.37</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Bristol</p></td><td><p>0.02</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p>1.52</p></td><td><p><strong>1.54</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cambridge</p></td><td><p><strong>4.12</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Cambridge</p></td><td><p>0.05</p></td><td><p>0.47</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>0.52</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cardiff</p></td><td><p><strong>10.17</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Cardiff</p></td><td><p>0.85</p></td><td><p>0.08</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>0.93</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Coventry</p></td><td><p><strong>2.35</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Coventry</p></td><td><p>0.09</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>0.09</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Derby</p></td><td><p><strong>2.27</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Derby</p></td><td><p>0.03</p></td><td><p>1.22</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>1.25</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>LeedsBradford</p></td><td><p><strong>13.54</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>LeedsBradford</p></td><td><p>0.93</p></td><td><p>0.32</p></td><td><p>0.50</p></td><td><p><strong>1.75</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London</p></td><td><p><strong>25.00</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>London</p></td><td><p>1.68</p></td><td><p>0.41</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>2.10</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Manchester</p></td><td><p><strong>10.25</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Manchester</p></td><td><p>2.15</p></td><td><p>1.96</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>4.12</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Newcastle</p></td><td><p><strong>5.25</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Newcastle</p></td><td><p>0.20</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p>0.58</p></td><td><p><strong>0.78</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Newport</p></td><td><p><strong>6.00</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Newport</p></td><td><p>0.04</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>0.04</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oxford</p></td><td><p><strong>4.83</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Oxford</p></td><td><p>0.04</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p>0.09</p></td><td><p><strong>0.12</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Portsmouth</p></td><td><p><strong>4.89</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Portsmouth</p></td><td><p>0.07</p></td><td><p>0.68</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>0.74</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salford</p></td><td><p><strong>7.10</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Salford</p></td><td><p>0.34</p></td><td><p>1.11</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p><strong>1.45</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>York</p></td><td><p><strong>1.65</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>York</p></td><td><p>0.10</p></td><td><p>0.00</p></td><td><p>0.11</p></td><td><p><strong>0.21</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>119.56</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>7.04</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>6.64</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>3.36</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>17.04</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td
colspan="5"><p><strong>Devolved Administrations - Northern Ireland and Scotland</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>"Up To" Allocation</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£M</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p><strong>Budget Transfers</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£M</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Belfast</p></td><td><p><strong>13.46</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Belfast</p></td><td><p><strong>5.68</strong></p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td>
</td></tr><tr><td><p>Derry</p></td><td><p><strong>2.20</strong></p></td><td> </td><td><p>Derry</p></td><td><p><strong>0.10</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Nth Ireland</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>15.66</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p><strong>Nth Ireland</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>5.78</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Aberdeen</p></td><td><p><strong>5.58</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Aberdeen</p></td><td><p><strong>2.44</strong></p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td>
</td></tr><tr><td><p>Edinburgh</p></td><td><p><strong>9.00</strong></p></td><td> </td><td><p>Edinburgh</p></td><td><p><strong>4.98</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Perth</p></td><td><p><strong>0.34</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p>Perth</p></td><td><p><strong>0.23</strong></p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td>
</td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Scotland</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>14.92</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p><strong>Scotland</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>7.65</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>30.58</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>13.43</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><p><strong>Total SCCP</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Allocation</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£M</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td><p><strong>Spend & Budget Tfrs</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£M</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>
</td><td><p><strong>150.14</strong></p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td><p><strong>30.47</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p><strong>Marketing</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Allocation</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2.20</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Spend</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1.67</strong></p></td><td>
</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many Ofcom decisions
were subject to (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful on the merits appeals in each
year for which data is available.
<p>Government does not hold information relating to how many Ofcom decisions were
subject to (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful on the merit appeals. Information relating
to appeals of regulatory decisions can be sought directly from Ofcom, who are independent
from Government.</p>
<p>Government does not hold data relating to the number of Ofcom decisions subject
to the most appeals. Information relating to appeals of regulatory decisions can be
sought directly from Ofcom, who are independent from Government.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on how many occasions
each communication provider has asked for an on the merit review of an Ofcom decision
in each year for which data is available.
<p><strong> </strong>Government does not hold information relating to the number of
requests from communication providers for an on the merit review of Ofcom decisions.
Information relating to appeals of regulatory decisions can be sought directly from
Ofcom, who are independent from Government.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department
is taking to introduce arrangements for broadband and landline providers gaining a
customer to lead the switching process.
<p>We set out our thinking on switching in the Connectivity, Content and Consumers
[CCC} Strategy Paper, published in July 2013. In December 2013 Ofcom announced that
gaining-provider led (GPL) switching would be mandated for broadband and fixed telephony
over the Openreach network. Full implementation of this will be completed by June
2015.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what information his Department
holds on the number of customers who switched between mobile phone providers in each
year for which data is available.
<p>DCMS does not hold this information, however from Ofcom data we understand that
there are around 83 million active mobile subscribers in the UK. This figure includes
people who have mobile devices that are not telephones - such as tablet and laptop
computers - but which use mobile telephone technology and contain SIMs</p><p>Ofcom
figures indicate that the percentage of mobile subscribers switching service provider
<em>per</em> year since 2010 is as follows:</p><p>9% in 2010</p><p>9% in 2011</p><p>9%
in 2012</p><p>11% in 2013</p><p>7% in 2014</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress his Department
has made on providing 95 per cent of rural areas with superfast broadband by 2017.
<p>Current superfast broadband coverage is over 80% of UK premises and the Government
remains committed to providing 95% coverage to homes and businesses by 2017.</p>
