Written question asked by Helen Clark (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 January 2001. It was answered by Lord Smith of Finsbury (Labour) on Monday, 22 January 2001 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement about the Government's plans to support independent regional cinema. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the Government's plans to support independent regional cinema. [144794] Mr. Chris Smith: The new Government-funded body for film, the Film Council, recently launched a development strategy for film and the moving image in the English regions. It will provide funding of up to £6 million a year to facilitate the establishment of an integrated regional film agency in each region, with the capacity to determine its own industrial and cultural priorities for film. The funding provided will include a level of support for independent cinema exhibition. The Film Council is also due to launch a new strategy for cinema exhibition later this year.

Secondary information