Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Jim McGovern Excerpts
Thursday 16th October 2014

(9 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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I think that Helen O’Neill’s 43-year career in journalism is a testament to the fantastic contribution that local newspapers make to our democracy. I am pleased that I will be sitting down with the National Union of Journalists for a seminar on local newspapers because I, for one, want to do everything I can to ensure that they have a vibrant and brilliant future.

Jim McGovern Portrait Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab)
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Unfortunately we ran out of time before I could ask Question 14, which was about the video games industry. The Minister is aware of how crucial that industry is to the economy of my home city of Dundee. What progress is being made on extending the three-year period for the skills investment fund?

Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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I hope that the hon. Gentleman does not mind that I often pray in aid Dundee as a brilliant example of a city that supports the video games industry. I am happy to tell him that the skills investment fund that we set up has put millions of pounds into skills training. Yesterday I attended the opening of the Industrial Light and Magic headquarters in London, which will employ 200 people in the visual effects industry, and we will certainly consider whether it is possible to extend the scheme.