To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the (a) name, (b) cost and (c) purpose is of each television programme his Department has provided funding for in each of the last five years. (241767)

Mr. Byrne: I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt) on 25 June 2008, Official Report, column 400W.

The Cabinet Office has not paid for any television programmes. However, the Office of the Third Sector is providing a grant of £2.4 million to the Media Trust between 2008-11. This funding is to support the Community Channel, a digital television channel which promotes volunteering and the work of charities. This funding also supports the Community Newswire, which enables charities to promote their work to journalists. The Media Trust is an independent charity overseen by a board of trustees which sets the channels’ programming priorities. Details of the Community Channel’s programmes are available on their website at:

www.communitychannel.org