Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the recommendation contained in the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform report, published 16 June 2021, to replace the UK General Data Protection Regulation 2018 with a new UK Framework.
Answered by John Whittingdale
As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has said, we thank the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform for their report, which the Government will consider and respond to in due course.
Outside of the EU, the UK now controls its own data protection laws and regulations. We want our data regime to remain fit for purpose, and to support the future objectives of the UK. We will continue to operate a high-quality regime that promotes growth and innovation, and underpins the trustworthy use of data.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reasons the Government is not required to seek the approval of the House of Commons on the appointment of a new chair of Ofcom.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Ofcom Chair is appointed by the Secretary of State in line with the provisions of the Office of Communications Act 2002. Pre-appointment scrutiny by the House of Commons Select Committee for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is an important part of the public appointment process, once a preferred appointable candidate has been identified by the Secretary of State.
The government does not believe it is appropriate for the Committee to have the right to veto the appointment of the Ofcom Chair, or other similar public appointments, as the direct line of accountability and responsibility between the appointee and the Minister must be preserved.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when the Government plans to appoint a new permanent chair of Ofcom.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The process to appoint a new permanent Chair of Ofcom is underway and has been open for applications since 12th February. The campaign will be open to applications until Friday 26 March, and we encourage all qualified candidates, from a diverse range of backgrounds, to come forward.
The recruitment process will be fair and open, in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments and will be regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the rate of payment per book loan under the Public Lending Right.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The rate per loan is reviewed annually by the government following a recommendation from the British Library Board. The Department holds a public consultation with major groups representing the interests of authors, library authorities and other stakeholders in the public library sector in the UK, and to the devolved administrations. The consultation, and outcome following Ministers’ considerations, are posted on ghttps://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/public-lending-right-rate-per-loan-2019-to-2020-consultationov.uk
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing funding for the Public Lending Right.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The Public Lending Right fund amount is set for the Spending Review period. The British Library administers the Public Lending Right Scheme on behalf of the government and the funding level of the PLR would form part of the consideration of British Library’s overall funding at the next Spending Review.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the maximum payment threshold for the Public Lending Right.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
DCMS will continue to work with the British Library, which administers the Public Lending Right on behalf of the Department, to consider the potential for future improvements to how PLR operates, including the maximum payment threshold. Any changes to this threshold would be considered at a future Spending Review.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the progress of plans for Festival UK 2022.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
Plans for Festival UK 2022 are progressing well. The Festival will showcase the very best of UK creativity and innovation across science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), both at home and abroad.
30 selected consortia, comprising almost 500 organisations and individuals from across the UK, are currently participating in the £3m R&D phase, which is investing in the creation of ideas for projects to take place across the UK in 2022. The ten final commissions will be announced in 2021.
Of the 30 teams, two are from Scotland and other Scottish organisations and individuals are involved in the 22 UK wide teams.