To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) summits, (b) conferences and (c) seminars his Department has hosted since January 2008 at which a primary subject of discussion was the effect of the economic situation on matters within his Department’s responsibility. (259751)

The Department has held regular internal discussions on responding to the economic situation, including discussions with its Advisory Board. The Department is also working closely with its sponsored bodies to help our sectors continue to function effectively and manage the risks which the present economic situation presents.

Recent external meetings on this issue included a tourism summit in Liverpool on 9 January 2009 convened by VisitBritain, which considered ways to help support the tourism industry through the downturn and beyond. The Creative Economy Programme Ministerial Steering Board received a presentation by Will Hutton in December on the impact of the economic downturn on the Creative Economy.