Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Film and Television Industry

Thursday 1 December 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is taking action to support British broadcasters and the film and television industries.
  • Notable contribution to television by Matt Hancock acknowledged but decision to restore the Whip is not within minister's purview.
  • Sympathy expressed for the family of Christine McVie, one of Britain's greatest songwriters.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP wants to know the steps being taken by the government to support the British film and television industry.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support the film and television industry.

Answer from Michelle Donelan

As set out in our broadcasting White Paper earlier this year and when I visited Pinewood and Shepperton studios last week, the Government are taking action to support British broadcasters and our world-leading film and television industries. That includes ensuring that public service content is easy to find on a wide range of TV platforms; delivering our £21 million UK global screen fund; and continuing to support our screen sector tax reliefs, which provide nearly £1 billion of support to more than 1,000 projects.

Answered
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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Context

The MP references the contribution made by Matt Hancock to television and asks if it would be churlish not to restore his whip.

Question

Given the sheer spunk of the contribution that my right hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Matt Hancock) has made to television, it would be churlish not to restore the Whip, wouldn't it?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

As my right hon. Friend knows, that is not a decision for me, but we can always depend on the right hon. Member for West Suffolk to attack a challenge with gusto, and I was not surprised at all to see him taking on all sorts of animal parts during the show. It has become a little bit of a thing for my predecessors to join that show, but I hope I can provide reassurance that I have no intention of ever doing so.

Not addressed: Restoration of Whip for Matt Hancock

How: Changed Subject, Personal Comments

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Q3 Kevin Brennan Lab
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

The MP recognises Christine McVie's contribution to British music and asks if the Minister will ensure that during the AI review, songwriters and composers are heard.

Question

Of course, a very important part of our film and television industry is the music that goes with it and the composers who provide that music. At this juncture, it would be wrong of me to not recognise and send sympathy to the family of Christine McVie, one of Britain's greatest ever songwriters, who sadly passed away yesterday. I was glad to hear what the Minister of State aid about AI earlier, because that will affect film and TV composers, as well as other people within the industry. Will she ensure that in undertaking the AI review, the Government listen very carefully to the views of songwriters and composers who work in the film and television industry during their consultation?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

I echo the hon. Member's sympathies. Of course, we will listen to all relevant voices, and I am happy for the hon. Member to meet with either myself or the Minister of State, who is responsible for this.

Partly answered

How: Offer To Meet, Broad Commitment

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