That this House notes that the Arts Council for Northern Ireland has been asked to plan for a budget cut of approximately ??1.1 million in 2010-11 and that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, which is the Arts Council's parent department, is itself set to lose ??25.9 million, making it in proportional terms the second hardest hit of Northern Ireland's government departments; is concerned that the anticipated financial cuts will cause irreparable damage to the sector, and consequently to the region's prosperity as a whole; regrets that as a direct result of decades of chronic under-funding, the arts infrastructure in Northern Ireland is extremely fragile and that the arts continue to be significantly under-funded on a per capita basis in Northern Ireland when compared with other regions of the United Kingdom; believes that the arts have an important role to play in building a new Northern Ireland and are part of a wider process of social, political and economic change; and therefore urges the Government to maintain essential funding for the arts as part of the broader agenda to strengthen the whole of the UK's competitive advantage in the creative industries.

That this House notes that the Arts Council for Northern Ireland has been asked to plan for a budget cut of approximately ??1.1 million in 2010-11 and that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, which is the Arts Council's parent department, is itself set to lose ??25.9 million, making...

That this House is concerned that the future of local analogue-based radio stations is being jeopardised by the absence of a clear Government strategy and confusion over what happens when digital switchover is complete; believes that popular local radio stations like Radio Jackie in south west London provide a valuable service which would be threatened by larger regional stations which will not provide radio services with a local focus; and calls on the Government to develop an alternative to digital switchover which allows local radio stations to continue broadcasting on the analogue spectrum.

That this House is concerned that the future of local analogue-based radio stations is being jeopardised by the absence of a clear Government strategy and confusion over what happens when digital switchover is complete; believes that popular local radio stations like Radio Jackie in south west London provide a valuable...

That this House notes with concern the provisional decision of the Competition Commission that the 2003 remedy, Contract Rights Renewal (CRR), applying to ITV1 airtime sales should remain largely unchanged; believes that the explosion of competition in media markets since 2003 now renders the restriction unnecessary; is concerned about the distorting effects of CRR on ITV's scheduling and investment decisions; considers that CRR financially punishes ITV for delivering the programming its customers and viewers want; believes therefore, it is detrimental to the continued investment in original TV content and the health of the UK's wider creative economy; and calls on the Government to undertake an urgent review of the competition regime as it applies to media mergers to ensure that broader public interest criteria are considered alongside price competition by merger authorities.

That this House notes with concern the provisional decision of the Competition Commission that the 2003 remedy, Contract Rights Renewal (CRR), applying to ITV1 airtime sales should remain largely unchanged; believes that the explosion of competition in media markets since 2003 now renders the restriction unnecessary; is concerned about the...

That this House is appalled that Lancashire children were the victims of more than 500 sex attacks in 2009; notes that some 508 offences were recorded in the county against people aged under 18; further notes with concern that 102 of the victims were aged 10 or younger, seven were aged three, and two were just two years old; urges the Home Secretary to extend Sarah's Law across the country without delay; and backs the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's call for the police to publish a detailed breakdown of these offences every year.

That this House is appalled that Lancashire children were the victims of more than 500 sex attacks in 2009; notes that some 508 offences were recorded in the county against people aged under 18; further notes with concern that 102 of the victims were aged 10 or younger, seven were...

That this House values the benefits of theatre for audiences, communities and the economy; believes that regional repertory theatres are an important pillar of UK theatre; is concerned at the severe reduction in subsidised repertory theatre in-house productions and that the minimum wage in the theatre sector is just ??352 per week for performers; supports Equity's Manifesto for Theatre campaign which includes a call for an end to low wages and for the Arts Council to set minimum levels of in-house production and maximum levels for the proportion of grant spent on administration; and urges the Government to ensure secure funding for the arts.

That this House values the benefits of theatre for audiences, communities and the economy; believes that regional repertory theatres are an important pillar of UK theatre; is concerned at the severe reduction in subsidised repertory theatre in-house productions and that the minimum wage in the theatre sector is just ??352...

That this House celebrates the cultural value of live performances in enriching and entertaining communities; welcomes the Government's consultation regarding an exemption to the Licensing Act 2003 for venues with audiences of 100; but believes that an exemption for audiences of 200 would be more effective in tackling the negative impact of the Act in reducing the number of small venues hosting live performances.

That this House celebrates the cultural value of live performances in enriching and entertaining communities; welcomes the Government's consultation regarding an exemption to the Licensing Act 2003 for venues with audiences of 100; but believes that an exemption for audiences of 200 would be more effective in tackling the negative...

That this House notes that the repeal of the furnished holiday lettings rules announced in the 2009 Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular, resulting in a significant loss of jobs and damage to rural and seaside economies; further notes with concern the lack of any industry consultation on the repeal; and calls on the Government to conduct a full consultation and review of this policy change as soon as possible to ensure all affected parties have the opportunity to voice their concerns and to promote an understanding of and mitigate against any unintended consequences on tourism, especially in rural and seaside areas.

That this House notes that the repeal of the furnished holiday lettings rules announced in the 2009 Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular,...

That this House recalls the treacherous conditions last winter on many roads in the Rossendale Valley, particularly those on steep hills; remembers what a stalwart job the then Labour-controlled Lancashire County Council did to ensure that adequate gritting took place and salt and grit bins were provided in those areas where they were needed most; notes how this responsible attitude contrasts starkly with the decision of now Conservative-controlled Lancashire County Council to withdraw these services from the many unadopted roads in Rossendale; considers this will cause undue hardship and inconvenience, not to say risk, especially to the young and the elderly; and calls on the Minister for Local Government to intervene urgently with the council to urge them to reconsider this ill-judged removal of essential services from the people of Rossendale.

That this House recalls the treacherous conditions last winter on many roads in the Rossendale Valley, particularly those on steep hills; remembers what a stalwart job the then Labour-controlled Lancashire County Council did to ensure that adequate gritting took place and salt and grit bins were provided in those areas...

That this House values the key role of the UK tourism sector in helping the UK to emerge from recession; recognises its role in providing jobs in areas with high levels of unemployment; notes that the German and French governments have recently taken action to assist their tourism sectors by implementing targeted reductions of value added tax (VAT) with Germany cutting VAT on hotel accommodation to seven per cent. and France cutting VAT on restaurant food to five per cent.; further notes that France has for many years enjoyed a reduced rate of VAT on visitor attractions of 5.5 per cent.; acknowledges the research by Graham Watson and Mike Nevin which shows that a targeted VAT reduction on accommodation and attractions in the UK would result in the creation of 23,000 new jobs and additional revenue to the Exchequer of 600 million a year; believes such measures would be an important tool to assist the recovery from economic recession; and urges the Government to give urgent consideration to similar targeted reductions in VAT in the UK.

That this House values the key role of the UK tourism sector in helping the UK to emerge from recession; recognises its role in providing jobs in areas with high levels of unemployment; notes that the German and French governments have recently taken action to assist their tourism sectors by...

That this House values the key role of the UK tourism sector in helping the UK to emerge from recession; recognises its role in providing jobs in areas with high levels of unemployment; notes that the German and French governments have recently taken action to assist their tourism sectors by implementing targeted reductions of value added tax (VAT) with Germany cutting VAT on hotel accommodation to seven per cent. and France cutting VAT on restaurant food to five per cent.; further notes that France has for many years enjoyed a reduced rate of VAT on visitor attractions of 5.5 per cent.; acknowledges the research by Graham Watson and Mike Nevin which shows that a targeted VAT reduction on accommodation and attractions in the UK would result in the creation of 23,000 new jobs and additional revenue to the Exchequer of ??600 million a year; believes such measures would be an important tool to assist the recovery from economic recession; and urges the Government to give urgent consideration to similar targeted reductions in VAT in the UK.

That this House values the key role of the UK tourism sector in helping the UK to emerge from recession; recognises its role in providing jobs in areas with high levels of unemployment; notes that the German and French governments have recently taken action to assist their tourism sectors by...

That this House notes the importance of the role of agents in the entertainment industry and believes that artists should be able to access these services without fear of exploitation; welcomes the 2003 regulations which outlawed up-front registration fees, but is concerned that the exemption to allow agencies to publish their own books and to charge a fee to their clients in advance is ill-defined and often abused by agents; further believes that any fee charged by an entertainment agent should be a limited commission fee and that after any deductions, the relevant artist receives an hourly rate in excess of the national minimum wage; calls on the Government to consider classifying publication and directory services, such as Spotlight, Showcall and Castnet, as being distinctly different to personal managers or employment agents that actively find work; and further believes that entertainment employment agents of this kind should be licensed and be prevented from charging any fee to artists other than commission from work found.

That this House notes the importance of the role of agents in the entertainment industry and believes that artists should be able to access these services without fear of exploitation; welcomes the 2003 regulations which outlawed up-front registration fees, but is concerned that the exemption to allow agencies to publish...

That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to investigate proposals around portable licences for circus entertainment; is, however, extremely disappointed at the Government's rejection of many of the other excellent recommendations of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report on the Licensing Act 2003, including an exemption for small venues, better consistency between local authorities, the hybrid proposal for licensing lap dancing establishments and the scrapping of Form 696; celebrates the cultural value of live performances as an integral part of the creative sector; and therefore urges the Government to reassess its position and to take note of the recommendations of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report which are supported by the unions representing live performers and entertainers throughout the UK.

That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to investigate proposals around portable licences for circus entertainment; is, however, extremely disappointed at the Government's rejection of many of the other excellent recommendations of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report on the Licensing Act 2003, including an exemption for small venues,...

That this House notes that the repeal of Furnished Holiday Lettings rules announced in the Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular, resulting in a significant loss of jobs and damage to rural and seaside economies; further notes with concern the lack of any industry consultation on the repeal; and calls upon the Government to conduct a full consultation and review of this policy change as soon as possible to ensure all affected parties have the opportunity to voice their concerns and to promote an understanding of and mitigate against any unintended consequences on tourism, especially in rural and seaside areas.

That this House notes that the repeal of Furnished Holiday Lettings rules announced in the Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular, resulting in...

That this House notes that new writing is not explicitly mentioned in Arts Council England's Theatre Strategy; believes it is vital that new writers are supported and developed so that audiences are delivered an interesting and diverse range of work; further believes that new writing should be at the heart of all subsidised theatres in the UK; is concerned that the development of new writing does not fall off the agenda of Arts Council offices, other funding bodies, local authorities and theatres; and therefore urges the Government to ensure that new writing is supported adequately and remains a key component of the cultural programme both nationally and locally.

That this House notes that new writing is not explicitly mentioned in Arts Council England's Theatre Strategy; believes it is vital that new writers are supported and developed so that audiences are delivered an interesting and diverse range of work; further believes that new writing should be at the heart...

That this House welcomes the recommendations of the Sixth Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on The Licensing Act 2003; is pleased to note in particular the report's recognition of the need for an exemption to the Licensing Act for live performances at small venues; celebrates the cultural value of live performances as an integral part of the creative sector; and therefore urges the Government to implement the report's recommendations as soon as reasonably possible.

That this House welcomes the recommendations of the Sixth Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on The Licensing Act 2003; is pleased to note in particular the report's recognition of the need for an exemption to the Licensing Act for live performances at small venues; celebrates the cultural...

That this House recognises that Rossendale Transport is one of the most successful bus companies in the country; acknowledges that it is one of the few local authority-owned bus companies that makes a profit and thus contributes funding to Rossendale Borough Council; notes that Councillor Anne Cheetham, Conservative chair of Rossendale Transport, is on the record in the March edition of Bus and Coach News as saying `we are not exploring any option to sell Rossendale Transport because it is very important to Rossendale'; further notes that Rossendale Transport is much loved by the people of the Rossendale Valley for its good service delivery; and calls on the Minister for Local Government and Rossendale Borough Council to reject any proposals to sell it off.

That this House recognises that Rossendale Transport is one of the most successful bus companies in the country; acknowledges that it is one of the few local authority-owned bus companies that makes a profit and thus contributes funding to Rossendale Borough Council; notes that Councillor Anne Cheetham, Conservative chair of...

That this House notes that 26 April 2009 was World Intellectual Property Day; welcomes this year's focus on green innovation; celebrates the enormous contribution intellectual property (IP) makes to the economy and our way of life; further notes that the creative industries alone contribute over 8.2 per cent. of gross domestic product and that at least as much again can be added to the contribution of other industries which rely on IP, such as brand manufacturing; recognises that industries dependent on IP, such as film, publishing, music, design, sports broadcasting, brand manufacturing, games software and computer software sustain countless jobs in every parliamentary constituency; believes these industries have an increasingly important role in the current economic climate; and urges the Government to work to maintain a robust system of copyright, trade marks, design rights and patents which rewards creativity, provides consumer choice and safeguards the millions of jobs which depend on IP.

That this House notes that 26 April 2009 was World Intellectual Property Day; welcomes this year's focus on green innovation; celebrates the enormous contribution intellectual property (IP) makes to the economy and our way of life; further notes that the creative industries alone contribute over 8.2 per cent. of gross...

That this House recognises the importance of manufacturing industries to the parliamentary constituencies of Carlisle, Rossendale and Darwen and Hyndburn; is seriously concerned that Apex Textiles which, 18 months ago, took over the businesses of JH Birtwistle in Haslingden and Stead McAlpin in Carlisle from the John Lewis Partnership, with a commitment to honour the John Lewis terms of employment for any workers facing redundancy within two years, has now reneged on that commitment as a result of that company being called into administration; understands that, in the current climate, such a demand on Apex Textiles would have been difficult, if not impossible, to meet; considers, therefore, that John Lewis has a moral obligation to help to honour the terms and conditions its former employees would have enjoyed; notes that the John Lewis website claims that the company is an employer of distinction with the happiness of all its members at the heart of the John Lewis Partnership and that it also credits its founder, John Spedon Lewis, with a corporate conscience; and calls on the Government to impress upon the John Lewis Partnership its moral obligation to meet and fund the terms and conditions of those who have now lost their livelihoods, in the recognition that, if it does not, its claim to be an employer of distinction will no longer be taken seriously.

That this House recognises the importance of manufacturing industries to the parliamentary constituencies of Carlisle, Rossendale and Darwen and Hyndburn; is seriously concerned that Apex Textiles which, 18 months ago, took over the businesses of JH Birtwistle in Haslingden and Stead McAlpin in Carlisle from the John Lewis Partnership, with...

That this House welcomes the publication of research entitled Age, Gender and Performer Employment in Europe conducted by the International Federation of Actors (FIA) in association with Equity and other performers' trade unions, guilds and associations across Europe; notes with regret that the research revealed that male performers have longer careers than women performers, that women are over-represented in the lowest income group of performers and under-represented in the highest, that women believe they have less opportunities in the number and variety of roles and are type-cast more often, that an overwhelming majority of women see ageing as a disadvantage to them getting work, whereas half of men surveyed see it as an advantage; and urges the Government, broadcasters and producers to take note of these findings and to take action to ensure equal opportunities for female performers, so that the real lives of real women are reflected on stage and screen.

That this House welcomes the publication of research entitled Age, Gender and Performer Employment in Europe conducted by the International Federation of Actors (FIA) in association with Equity and other performers' trade unions, guilds and associations across Europe; notes with regret that the research revealed that male performers have longer...

That this House notes the National Audit Office report showing that more than half the poorest people in Britain cannot, under present eligibility rules, access grants from the Warm Front scheme; recognises that this scheme can help low income families keep warm in winter and reduce carbon emissions by financing improvements to insulation and heating systems; and calls on the Department of Energy and Climate Change to initiate an urgent review of the scheme to ensure that in future all of the most vulnerable households can receive the help they need.

That this House notes the National Audit Office report showing that more than half the poorest people in Britain cannot, under present eligibility rules, access grants from the Warm Front scheme; recognises that this scheme can help low income families keep warm in winter and reduce carbon emissions by financing...