To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 318W, on the Convergence Think Tank, how the figure of £300,000 for the costs of the Convergence Think Tank was arrived at. (188506)

The estimated cost of the Convergence Think Tank referred to in my answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, columns 318-19W, to the hon. Member for Wantage, was a rounded total based on an initial view of the costs of the principal elements of the Think Tank's work, excluding staff costs, namely

communications, including seven public seminars: £37,500;

external experts: £65,000;

research: £200,000.

These figures are estimates and are likely to vary according to the specific requirements of the Think Tank.