Topical Questions 2023-04-27
2023-04-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Lucy Frazer is about to make an oral statement on gambling regulations and broadcasting reforms.
I am concerned about the upcoming White Paper on gambling regulations and the draft Media Bill. Can you confirm these details?
I will shortly be making an oral statement setting out details of a White Paper to bring our gambling regulations into the smartphone age. My Department has recently unveiled landmark reforms to our broadcasting regulation with a new draft Media Bill.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There have been instances of musicians being turned away at borders despite having valid engagements.
Musicians are facing difficulties in entering the UK due to Home Office policies. Can you urge the Home Office to provide better access for European musicians?
The Department is committed to supporting the creative sector in adapting to touring requirements in the EU. We are looking closely at this issue, and my Department has spoken with the Foreign Secretary about it.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment without specific timeline or concrete action
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Advertising Standards Authority has considerable powers but there are concerns about its use for social engineering.
Is the ASA's focus on social issues rather than factual accuracy a cause for concern?
The ASA is at its best when it focuses on ensuring legal, decent, honest and truthful adverts, rather than making value judgments on social issues.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the impact of AI on music copyright.
What action is being taken to protect original work from emerging tech challenges?
We are holding roundtables with the music industry to discuss this issue and aim to put together a code of conduct working closely with industry to protect original work produced by them.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment without specific measures outlined
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The National Piers Society launched a touring exhibition of seaside pier posters.
What efforts are being made to promote non-London destinations to overseas visitors?
We have a GREAT-funded campaign focusing on the Pembrokeshire coast, Thorpe Bay beach and Brighton pier. We also welcomed international trade buyers for educational visits across Britain, including coastal communities.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Community centres like Chuter Ede are facing closure due to high energy bills and local authority cuts.
What support is being given to organisations struggling with the cost of living crisis?
This Government have provided significant support to organisations up and down the country to help them deal with the cost of living issues. We are also putting more money into grassroots sport than has been put in probably decades.
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Assessment & feedback
Support for sports but not specific details on community centres or energy bills
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the taxation regime disincentivising the use of sustainable fuels in British motorsport.
Will you work with me and colleagues in the Treasury to incentivise the use of sustainable fuels?
I agree about the importance of motorsport in this country. We already support sustainable and synthetic fuels under the renewable transport fuel obligation scheme, but tax policy is a matter for the Treasury.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to work on ideas without specific timeline or concrete action
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
A loan deal made by Richard Sharp, the former BBC Chairman, with a previous Prime Minister has damaged the BBC's reputation. The question focuses on whether the current PM is hesitant to act due to his relationship with Sharp.
The reputation of the BBC has been dragged through the mud by the grubby loan deal that Richard Sharp made with a former Prime Minister, which allegedly was to curry favour to become BBC Chairman. Does the Minister therefore think that the current Prime Minister's pally-pally relationship with Sharp is why he has not sacked him yet?
As the hon. Member will know, the Commissioner for Public Appointments is looking into this matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment until it has published its full report.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about PM's relationship with Sharp was not addressed.
Referred The Question To An Ongoing Investigation
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Folkestone library at Grace Hill, an important heritage asset in the town that is currently closed for structural repairs, raises concerns about its future under the Arts Council's strategy.
The Folkestone library at Grace Hill in the town was one of the early Carnegie libraries, an important cultural hub as well as a working building. It is currently closed because structural repairs are required. Does the Minister agree that the Arts Council strategy should recognise not only the need to support working library facilities, but that they are often important heritage assets that benefit the whole local community?
Library facilities are very important, and I was pleased to visit a library facility recently. We have put more funding into libraries and into communities across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about Arts Council strategy recognition of heritage value was not addressed.
Broad Statement About Importance Of Libraries
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over BBC Radio York's local connection to the community, particularly during afternoon programming, amidst reforms that may lead to its reduction.
BBC Radio York keeps North Yorkshire connected to the local community, but the reforms will remove that vital link. It would be such little cost to keep afternoon programming and “Drive Time” running. Will the Minister look at the real cost of running that programme and ensure that the BBC does not cull BBC local radio?
As the Minister of State has already mentioned, decisions on BBC programming are a matter for the BBC; as she also mentioned, the BBC will have heard the points made today about how strongly Members of this House and people across the country feel about this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about assessing costs was not addressed.
Referred To Decisions Being A Matter For The Bbc
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The Rutland-to-Melton CiCLE Classic, an international men's single-day race cycling competition in the UK, needs additional RSL licences for its local radio station to cover all three towns.
Will the Minister join me in congratulating the Rutland-to-Melton CiCLE Classic—the only international men's single-day race cycling competition in the whole UK? It was best listened to on Rutland and Stamford Sound, Rutland's only radio station, but we need three RSL licences to cover all our three towns. Will the Minister please meet me to discuss those urgent needs?
Any day now I will be going on maternity leave, but I will be covered by my right hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Sir John Whittingdale), who is an absolutely passionate supporter of the radio industry and who as a Back Bencher spoke to me about radio issues. I am sure that he will be happy to look into the licensing issue that my hon. Friend highlights.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about meeting was not addressed.
Redirected Responsibility To Colleague
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The Rugby Football Union has introduced inclusive policies on maternity, pregnant parent, and adoption leave to normalise motherhood in sport.
The Rugby Football Union has announced groundbreaking policies on maternity, pregnant parent and adoption leave, which have been said to normalise motherhood in sport. Will the Minister encourage more sporting bodies to introduce similar inclusive policies?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise this. One of the key elements that we will be looking at in the sporting strategy is how we increase opportunities for women and girls in sport. I am pleased to say that we have made significant announcements about equal provision in our schools—but yes, we absolutely push the governing bodies to do all they can to increase opportunities in the way the hon. Lady suggests.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for encouraging other sports bodies was not directly addressed with concrete commitments.
Broad Commitment Without Specifics
Response accuracy