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1199937

registered interest
date	03/06/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Literature: Irish Language and Welsh Language
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to promote Gaelic and Welsh language literature in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	54174
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Culture is a devolved matter so promoting Gaelic and Welsh language literature in the UK is a matter for the relevant devolved administration.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>DCMS does, however, work to support minority languages through its work on the creative industries strand of the British Irish Council. This includes working with devolved administrations to support minority languages, to share best practice, and to nurture more diverse UK audiences, including through minority language publications.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 16/06/2020 14:07:40 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1200011

registered interest
date	03/06/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Leisure and Sports: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his Department has issued to indoor sports and leisure activity providers on the safe reopening of instructing facilities for (a) snow sports and (b) indoor rock-climbing during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Hemel Hempstead
tabling member printed	Sir Mike Penning
uin	54040
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">There is no requirement under the terms of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854 to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State before the removal of sculptures erected in London.</del></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">Indoor sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting people to be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities, including snow sports and indoor rock climbing facilities, as soon as it is safe to do so. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We are holding regular discussions with representatives from the leisure sector and national sports organisations to develop guidance that will support them to open their facilities in a timely and safe manner once lockdown measures are eased. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.</ins></p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 12/06/2020 16:17:19 question first ministerially corrected 16/06/2020 09:17:29 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston previous answer version 28515 answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning

1200025

registered interest
date	03/06/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Audiobooks: VAT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent representations she has made to HM Treasury on VAT on audiobooks; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	54135
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>The government recognises the value of publishing as one of the UK's most successful industries. In addition to £330Bn of guarantees announced by the Chancellor which have included grants, loans, and the Job Retention Scheme, zero rate of VAT on e-publications was brought forward from December. The extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications. Audiobooks, however, are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format. The government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 17/06/2020 13:06:00 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1199568

registered interest
date	02/06/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Local Broadcasting: Radio
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure a sustainable future for local radio.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	53305
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>While radio stations across the UK are reporting increasing numbers of listeners tuning in to their broadcasts, many of these stations are operating against the backdrop of a rapid fall in advertising and other revenues due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Commercial radio stations have been able to take advantage of some of the unprecedented support measures that have been introduced across the wider economy, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. However, we acknowledge that commercial radio also faces some sector-specific pressures.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We are pleased that an agreement has now been reached with Arqiva that will result in a significant reduction in annual transmission costs for local commercial stations that use Arqiva’s services, and have worked with industry during this crisis to support efforts to reduce other costs. We note in particular the help secured by Radiocentre in the form of reduced music licensing payments to reflect the fall in stations’ revenues, and Ofcom’s announcement relaxing its enforcement of licensees’ programming and production requirements, which has been extended to December.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We have also worked with Ofcom to release emergency funding, through the Community Radio Fund, to help community radio stations continue to provide programming and outreach projects for the communities they serve. Ofcom announced details of 81 awards on 4 June.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We note that Ofcom plan to begin advertising small-scale multiplex licences later this year, which will provide a lower-cost digital transmission option for smaller stations, and we will shortly be publishing our response to our consultation on analogue commercial radio licences.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We will continue to liaise with stakeholders across the industry regarding ways in which the Government can reduce regulatory burdens further to support radio through Covid-19 and beyond.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 16/06/2020 15:43:00 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1199769

registered interest
date	02/06/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Internet: Safety
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals on online harms.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	53671
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to making the UK the safest place to be online. DCMS and the Home Office are working at pace to develop the legislation. We will publish a full government response later this year, and legislation will be ready this session.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 16/06/2020 13:38:07 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1197978

registered interest
date	01/06/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Access
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what additional access to digital connectivity will he provide to ensure that those from lower socio-economic communities have equal access to broadband.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	52176
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK broadband market is very competitive with a variety of packages at different price points to meet the needs of different consumers. In addition, both BT and KCOM offer lower cost landline and broadband packages for those in receipt of qualifying state benefits.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government is also committed to improving broadband across the country to ensure that all communities have the access that they need, including those from lower socio-economic groups. We have introduced the broadband Universal Service Obligation, which gives everyone the right to request decent broadband providing at least 10 Mbps download speeds up to a Reasonable Cost Threshold of £3,400 per premise. In addition, we are committed to delivering even faster, nationwide gigabit capable broadband as soon as possible. We will be investing £5 billion to subsidise deployment to the least commercial 20% of premises in the country.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In recognition of the particular challenges that communities are facing at the current time as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Government has also agreed a package of measures with the UK's fixed and mobile providers to support consumers, particularly the most vulnerable. As part of these commitments, providers have agreed to provide new and generous offers to their vulnerable customers, ranging from free mobile data boosts to free landline calls, and to lift all broadband data caps.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 17/06/2020 16:12:08 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1198860

registered interest
date	01/06/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Radio
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure a sustainable future for radio.
tabling member constituency	Peterborough
tabling member printed	Paul Bristow
uin	52567
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>While radio stations across the UK are reporting increasing numbers of listeners tuning in to their broadcasts, many of these stations are operating against the backdrop of a rapid fall in advertising and other revenues due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Commercial radio stations have been able to take advantage of some of the unprecedented support measures that have been introduced across the wider economy, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. However, we acknowledge that commercial radio also faces some sector-specific pressures.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We are pleased that an agreement has now been reached with Arqiva that will result in a significant reduction in annual transmission costs for local commercial stations that use Arqiva’s services, and have worked with industry during this crisis to support efforts to reduce other costs. We note in particular the help secured by Radiocentre in the form of reduced music licensing payments to reflect the fall in stations’ revenues, and Ofcom’s announcement relaxing its enforcement of licensees’ programming and production requirements, which has been extended to December.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We have also worked with Ofcom to release emergency funding, through the Community Radio Fund, to help community radio stations continue to provide programming and outreach projects for the communities they serve. Ofcom announced details of 81 awards on 4 June.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We note that Ofcom plan to begin advertising small-scale multiplex licences later this year, which will provide a lower-cost digital transmission option for smaller stations, and we will shortly be publishing our response to our consultation on analogue commercial radio licences.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We will continue to liaise with stakeholders across the industry regarding ways in which the Government can reduce regulatory burdens further to support radio through Covid-19 and beyond.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 17/06/2020 13:12:11 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4792 label Biography information for Paul Bristow

1194561

registered interest
date	11/05/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Science and Discovery Centres: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres’ Proposal for an Emergency Resilience Fund for UK Science Centres; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh East
tabling member printed	Tommy Sheppard
uin	45300
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2020 answer text <p>Science and discovery centres around the country have an important role in educating, inspiring and entertaining visitors of all ages on what science is and the important discoveries over the centuries that have changed all our lives.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Science centres in England have access to the unprecedented support the Government has announced for business and workers, to protect them against the current economic emergency. This includes the Job Retention Scheme, which science centres have benefited from, VAT payment deferrals, and £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses. The Chancellor has also announced a Bounce Back loan scheme to help small businesses access loans of up to £50,000, with a 100% government-backed guarantee for lenders. Additionally some of the members of the ASDC - specifically cultural institutions like museums - may be eligible to apply for support as part of the £1.57 billion investment announced earlier this month.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Science centres outside England may be eligible for further support from the devolved governments for example some centres in Scotland may eligible for additional support from the Scottish Government.</p><p><strong><p><p></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 16/07/2020 13:08:44 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4453 label Biography information for Tommy Sheppard

1190590

registered interest
date	27/04/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	5G
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of (a) current and (b) planned 5G networks are (i) safety-related and (ii) safety-critical networks in Critical National Infrastructure and (iii) security-critical network functions.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	40603
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>It is not possible to quantify the proportion of current and planned 5G networks that are safety-related, safety-critical networks and security-critical network functions.</p><p>Safety-related and safety-critical networks in non-telecoms Critical National Infrastructure do not relate to public 5G networks.</p><p>Security-critical network functions in the 5G network relate to the sensitive ‘core’ of the mobile network. As no public networks have deployed a 5G core, it is not possible to calculate what proportion of the current 5G networks are covered by the ‘core’. Commercial decisions on the design and make-up of future 5G networks rests with the individual operators. It is therefore not possible to calculate what proportion of planned 5G networks are covered by the ‘core’.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 16/06/2020 11:12:27 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1172311

registered interest
date	21/01/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Biometrics: Private Companies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has in place for the oversight of private companies' use of live facial recognition technology.
tabling member constituency	Haltemprice and Howden
tabling member printed	Mr David Davis
uin	6016
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2020 answer text <p>The use of biometric data (including facial images) by private companies to identify individuals is regulated by the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Under the legislation, data processing must be fair, lawful and transparent. Individuals who consider their data has been misused can make complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office, the independent regulator of the legislation.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure a safe use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in all sectors, the government tasked the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) to produce a Snapshot briefing paper looking at the uses and potential implications of facial recognition technology’s deployment in the UK. The paper was published on 28 May and we are considering its findings.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 31/07/2020 17:06:56 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	373 label Biography information for Sir David Davis