What meetings he has had with the Press Complaints Commission to discuss the effectiveness of the PCC code. [46311]

I have had a number of meetings with Lord Wakeham, the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. I welcomed the strengthening of the code of practice that was agreed on 19 December 1997, and I have made it clear that further changes should be considered to protect people in all walks of life.

I welcome that answer, but I ask the Secretary of State to bear in mind the needs of children. For example, on 7 May the Daily Mail named and photographed a four-year-old child on its front page just because her mother had been sent to prison in unusual circumstances. Would the PCC not be more convincing if it intervened after publication to point out to editors that such cases fall well below the standards expected both in normal life and under the PCC code?

I know that my hon. Friend has corresponded with the newspaper concerned in that case. The PCC code agreed last December extends protection to children of school age, unless there is an overriding public interest in publishing details about them. Both the procedures followed by the PCC and complainants, and the nature of the public interest test require further consideration in the coming months.

What plans he has to encourage the growth of employment in the tourism industry. [46312]

The new tourism strategy which we are developing with the tourism forum will seek to ensure that tourism fulfils its enormous job-generation potential, while the new deal will help to solve the industry's skill shortages and recruitment problems. The tourism and hospitality industry already supports 1.7 million jobs, and it is forecast to need many more people in future.

I am interested in the Minister's professed interest in the tourism industry. Why has his Department consistently subordinated tourism to more glamorous and trivial matters?

The plain and simple fact is that we have not. When I gave evidence to the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, it was unfortunate that the hon. Gentleman appeared only for the last two minutes of it. I am not, therefore, surprised by his total ignorance of the Government's absolute commitment to a vital industry.

Has the tourism strategy examined the valuable, but neglected, British resource of historic buildings associated with the birth and development of the Labour movement? The Minister will be aware that the sole surviving Clarion house, which dates from the days of the old Independent Labour party, is in my constituency. It would encourage the people of Pendle if I could tell them that the Minister will take on board the development of a resource of which we have much in the north of England.

My hon. Friend makes an extremely relevant point. That part of our country's heritage is important in attracting tourists. I am delighted that my hon. Friend mentioned his constituency, which I look forward to visiting. I know that, when he returns to Scotland, he will pay a visit to Robert Owen at Lanark and to the Summerlee heritage park in my constituency, which meets my hon. Friend's excellent point.

What representations has the Minister received about the effect of the strength of the pound on the tourism industry? May I draw his attention to the profound gloom in the industry in Wales, which is combining with the collapse of livestock prices to lead to a crisis in the rural economy of Wales? Does the Minister accept that the combination of Government policies that are leading to the strength of the pound is having a serious effect on large parts of the country, and that the Government may have to pay a severe political price in the 1999 elections?

The hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point which was last discussed with me in Cardiff last Wednesday. The problems are transient, but I am happy to report that new figures show that expenditure by overseas tourists has declined by less than 1 per cent. on last year, which was a record year. Given the self-evident problems of the Asian market, the House will welcome the fact that expenditure from, for example, north America is up by 6 per cent. The Government are determined to build on those figures.

What role his Department is playing in promoting good design in (a) the media and (b) elsewhere. [46313]

I visited the Royal College of Art's design, communications and humanities students' exhibition last week and was very impressed by the skill and flair of the works exhibited there. My Department works closely with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Design Council in promoting our designers and the importance overall of good design.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, often, the media, energetically aided and abetted by the Opposition, sneer at anything that design contributes to this country? Is it not a fact that Government Members cannot be complacent, because we have to champion design in every industry and Government Department? If we are to be truly internationally competitive, good design is paramount.

My hon. Friend is right about the importance of design and the quality of the Opposition. It is no accident that, for example, there are 150 different car types on the road whose designs have had input from Royal College of Art students. That is a very good record for British designers and British design, and a strength on which we should build.

Does the Secretary of State recognise that good design is about not only presentation but content? Is not his problem that he is so obsessed with pinning designer labels on everything that moves that the real issues are ignored? While he publishes airy rhetoric about design and goodness knows what, the tourism industry faces uncertainty, the arts are in crisis, the Royal Opera house is a shambles, the heritage has been designed out of the English language, and sport, music and design are being downgraded in our schools. Through all this, the Secretary of State dithers and does nothing, except cave in to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which I agree he is good at. The right hon. Gentleman is known to be decent, so why does he not do the decent thing and go before he is pushed? He would bring immense relief to his friends, and might even find time to write a proper book.

I had hoped that the hon. Gentleman's first question as Opposition spokesman would have been more accurate and have better content. He knows that his analysis of the arts, opera, design and the creative industries would have held true 13 months ago but does not now.

What support he is giving to encourage tourism as a means of economic regeneration for seaside towns. [46314]

The future of our seaside resorts has been a key consideration for the domestic tourism working group, whose final report, containing specific proposals, we received recently. These will be reflected in the tourism strategy to be published later this year.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply and for his support for tourism in my constituency through his recent visit to Lowestoft to present the national blue flag beach awards and open our new marina, which was built with European funding. On the Agenda 2000 proposals for reform of the structural funds, will he press the President of the Board of Trade to support the inclusion of problems faced by seaside towns as a new criterion for objective 2? Will he ask the arts lottery board to take into account the capacity of projects for economic regeneration in considering applications? Lowestoft is submitting a bid for a spectacular glass monument to mark its position as Britain's most easterly point, which would be of great economic benefit to the town.

I very much enjoyed my visit to my hon. Friend's constituency. I now understand—if I needed to learn—how popular he deservedly is. I am sure that my hon. Friend the Minister for Arts listened to the second part of my hon. Friend's question.

Is the Minister aware that Southend is a superb centre of tourism which he would do well to visit as soon as he can? Is he aware that some areas of high unemployment are included in travel-to-work areas of low unemployment, with the result that no funding can be provided for their special problems? Will he have a look at the unfair effects thereby created for some superb seaside towns such as Southend-on-Sea?

I have not yet had the privilege of going to Southend, but I do look forward to it. I am sure that it is almost as attractive as Cathcart.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that areas such as mine need economic development not just at the seaside but more widely in the rest of the region? The region, after all, feeds the local tourism economy. Does he propose to have words with the regional development agencies, once they are set up, to stimulate regional tourism and the local economy by allowing local people an input?

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The tourism industry in Great Britain needs a closer working relationship between the regional tourist boards and, in due course, the RDAs. I know that my hon. Friend has contributed thoughtful ideas in that respect; I can assure him that the membership of the forum is much concerned with his excellent point.

How closely is the Minister working with the Heritage Lottery Fund on obtaining funding for piers, not just in my constituency but in many other places? I know that he will say that he has nothing to do with influencing such funding, but surely the Department can make recommendations.

The hon. Gentleman, for whom I and all hon. Members have a great regard, has both asked and answered his question. Of course we cannot intervene in lottery allocations; the problems affecting his pier, and of expenditure elsewhere in England, were made considerably worse by the reckless and inadequate policies of the Conservative party. Over the past 10 years, the Tories reduced public expenditure on the English tourist board from £25.8 million to a mere £9.9 million a year. They should hang their heads in shame.

Does the Minister accept that many Labour Members are extremely supportive of and grateful for the Government's work on the new deal and appreciate their responsiveness to the particular problems of seaside towns and seasonal employment? What further representations has he received from the tourism industry in support and in respect of the new deal?

I am happy to say that support for the new deal has been absolutely massive—[Interruption.]—as those who really work in their constituencies and in the industry understand. Would Conservative Members challenge Tim Bartlett, chief executive of the English tourist board, who said:

"We…believe that our industry can make a major contribution to the New Deal, and that the tourist boards can offer a practical access route to over 15,000 members—mostly small or medium sized businesses—throughout the country"?

We have been told that a planned series of ministerial visits to seaside resorts this summer has been cancelled on the advice of officials. It was to have been called the seaside rock tour, or some such nonsense. Is it surprising that Ministers are afraid to show their faces at seaside resorts, given that all they have delivered so far to the United Kingdom tourism industry is a tide of European Union regulation and threatened abolition of the English tourist board? Was the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport not right to say that tourism is insufficiently glamorous for the current Secretary of State? Is it not true that, far from getting a kiss-me-quick on the promenade, any Minister who is rash enough to visit a seaside resort this summer is likely to be told where he can stick his rock?

I know that Jonathan Aitken is not around these days, but one would think that the shadow Minister might have got a better scriptwriter. The fact is that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I fully intend to visit many parts of the country; indeed, as the hon. Gentleman must know, we have already started. As for the speculation in which he indulges, it is that and no more. He encourages us to visit seaside resorts and we shall visit, with absolute delight, Labour Scarborough, Labour Blackpool, Labour Hove and many other resorts which will continue to return Labour Members of Parliament.

How his Department is working with the social exclusion unit to ensure sport plays a role in combating social exclusion. [46315]

My Department is working closely with the social exclusion unit. The last meeting took place as recently as 16 June. We see great potential for sport to play a part and we have already announced that we are working on a comprehensive strategy on sport which will, among other areas, address the problems of social exclusion. Sport is a great motivator, as we can see at the moment; it has a role to play in youth social inclusion.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Football Association has taken great strides over the years to foster social inclusion through having schools of excellence for young footballers in clubs throughout the country? However, will he join me in expressing dismay at the FA's recent decision to limit schools of excellence to premiership and league clubs, thus leaving conference clubs such as Kidderminster Harriers in my constituency out in the cold? The 165 boys at that club will have no school from next year. Will my hon. Friend join me in urging the FA to think again and use his office to encourage it to take a broad approach towards tackling social exclusion in football through schools of excellence?

Obviously, football has a great role to play in programmes for social inclusion and I share my hon. Friend's disappointment that the Kidderminster Harriers club was not granted a licence to operate as an FA centre of excellence. However, that is a matter for the FA, and the technical control board that is responsible decided, for a variety of reasons, that it would not recognise Kidderminster Harriers' scheme.

Is the Minister not embarrassed by the fact that, last week, the Secretary of State introduced a new form of potential social exclusion—the social exclusion of those who are keen on test cricket, who may well be unable in future to watch it on terrestrial television? As someone who, as a Back Bencher, was a scourge of the tabloidisation of British politics, does the Minister not recognise that two days of adverse headlines have resulted in a wanton act of appeasement of the main proprietor of the tabloid?

I could never be disappointed in the actions of my right hon. Friend. The hon. Gentleman has a strange approach to this issue. Sky Television criticised my right hon. Friend's decision, while the British Broadcasting Corporation broadly welcomed it. Most importantly, the England and Wales Cricket Board welcomed the decision. Hon. Members must understand that the problem is how we get more resources into cricket while maintaining the maximum access through television. The money that the ECB will receive through Sky if the deals go ahead will enable cricket to be developed at school, county and local levels, which is why the Secretary of State made the right decision. It was a brave decision, but I am sure that it will lead to the development of greater cricketing ability in this country, which, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman agrees, we desperately need.

What discussions he has had on the 2006 world cup bid; and if he will make a statement. [46316]

I hold regular meetings with the Football Association. I have discussed the 2006 bid with key members of the FIFA executive committee, here in London and in their home countries, and the Government will continue to play a full part in the 2006 campaign.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the criminal activities of drunken hooligans must not be allowed to knock off course England's world cup bid? Does he deplore the decision by the authorities in St. Etienne to allow all-day drinking, particularly in the light of the statement by the spokeswoman for the prefecture in Lens that the ban on alcohol was the main reason for the relative lack of trouble in that town?

I condemn unreservedly the behaviour of the small criminal element that caused trouble in Marseilles. When those who were imprisoned arrive back in this country, they will be dealt with using further restriction orders. Those who think that they may have got away with crimes in Marseilles should know that footage is still being examined. The French authorities will take action against them, and we support them entirely in that.

But will the Minister be any more effective in getting the world cup to come to the United Kingdom in 2006 than he has been in trying to get more than the derisory 2,000 seats for the next football match in France?

That is very good, but I am not Tone the Tout; I do not actually have tickets at my disposal. As hon. Members will know, I took a decision not to go on the ground that I somehow knew that this situation would develop. Obviously, the ticket allocation for England's match in St. Etienne is derisory, but the arrangement was made some time ago.

What plans he has to ensure that the Heritage Lottery Fund's access fund benefits projects targeted at disadvantaged people. [46318]

I am delighted to welcome the museums access fund, which will improve access to museums and galleries and will, of course, as part of its work, support access for those who are disadvantaged. I have recently issued new policy directions to the Heritage Lottery Fund, giving increased emphasis to the need to use lottery funding to promote access to the heritage for people from all sections of society and to take into account the scope for reducing economic and social deprivation.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that access is not just about physically getting into a building? The many access groups throughout the country will be very willing to assist with this new direction, which I know they welcome very much. If we are truly interested in fairness for those on low incomes, the unemployed and those with young children, we must ensure that they can get into these wonderful buildings. If we are truly interested in equality, we must pay particular attention to that.

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Getting as many people as possible to enjoy the riches in the great storehouses of this country is one of the major objectives of Government policy. It is why, for example, we were delighted to announce at the time of the Budget that we were maintaining free admission for everyone to great national collections such as the national gallery, the Tate and the British museum.

In that case, will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the British library will not charge for admission?

The hon. Gentleman may not have heard my speech at the opening dinner of the British library last week, when I welcomed the fact that access to the reading rooms for ordinary readers would be free.

I thank my right hon. Friend for his support and encouragement for help for disadvantaged people from the lottery fund. Is he aware that many of our local communities would like to help disadvantaged people in any way they can? Will he give them some advice on obtaining lottery funding to help disadvantaged people? It is important that we consider what is happening within our communities and what assistance should be given to them.

In a few months, we will be launching a pilot scheme in the east midlands, where the lottery distributors will join together to provide a fast-track scheme for local community organisations that wish to put in bids for small grants to help their own neighbourhoods and communities. I hope that that scheme will roll out nationwide from April next year.

If he will make a statement on the (a) provisions in the charter and agreement and (b) legislation which require the British Broadcasting Corporation and independent television and radio to treat politically controversial subjects with due impartiality. [46319]

The Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority have a statutory duty to do all that they can to ensure that broadcasters in the commercial sector report news accurately and treat matters of political and industrial controversy with due impartiality. The BBC governors have equivalent obligations under the BBC charter and agreement. The regulators set out detailed requirements guidelines in their programme codes.

I thank the Secretary of State for reminding the House about the statutory and other duties laid on the BBC and ITV to treat politically controversial subjects impartially. Is he aware of the fact that, on one of the most politically controversial subjects of the day—British entry into economic and monetary union—in a recent poll, 65 per cent. of people declared themselves against it, 33 per cent. in favour and only 2 per cent. undecided? In the light of that, will he agree that, if the BBC or ITV, in the months ahead, persist with pursuing a Euro-federalist propaganda initiative in their broadcasts, they will be behaving not only undemocratically, but illegitimately?

I see no difficulty in the true impartiality with which those matters—as all political matters—are dealt with by BBC and ITV journalists, in a truly professional manner. I notice that it has not stopped the hon. Gentleman, who was once a member of the Labour party in Newham, from doing a perfectly competent job at making a fool of himself on the Tory Benches.

One way in which the BBC can escape its responsibilities is simply not to broadcast Parliament or any of its hearings—in other words, to substitute programmes in which political journalists interview other political journalists. What effort is my right hon. Friend making to monitor the correct reporting of Parliament?

I am very concerned to ensure that the BBC and other broadcasters continue to report Parliament fairly and effectively. I know that my hon. Friend, Madam Speaker and other hon. Members have made strong representations on that matter, and they will continue to monitor how the BBC performs.

Bearing in mind the BBC's reluctance to listen to those who have made representations about its change of policies on the broadcasting of politically controversial issues, will the Secretary of State throw his weight behind proposals to establish an election commission, which would be independent and would be capable of bringing under its purview the whole issue of broadcasting and fairness, in respect not only of elections but of referendums, with which we are becoming more familiar?

I am not sure that an election commission is needed to establish the clear principle of impartiality in all such matters, be they parliamentary elections, other elections or referendums. The BBC and other broadcasters must remain impartial; that principle is clearly established, and I emphasise that it is the duty of the governors and of the ITC to ensure that that impartiality is upheld.

What steps the football task force is taking to combat racism in football. [46321]

The football task force has completed an excellent report into racism in football and made numerous practical recommendations to combat this blight on the game. I have written to all the organisations identified in the report as having a role to play, asking them how they intend to implement the recommendations relevant to them. I am very pleased with the positive responses that I have received from those organisations to date.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. While we are waiting for a gap in the legislative process, could I persuade my hon. Friend to publish a league table of worst offenders in soccer, so that we can shame the clubs, and their shareholders?

On waiting for a gap in the legislative timetable, the House should be aware that the Government will amend the Football (Offences) Act 1991 to make racist abuse by individual spectators an offence, and that we want to do so as speedily as possible. My hon. Friend dangles before me an interesting and tempting proposition. I shall consider it in due course, and I may come back to him with a more considered response.

What proportion of the funding available to the Millennium Commission will be spent in the north-west region. [46322]

To date, the Millennium Commission has awarded grants totalling just over £93 million to 15 capital projects in the north-west region, from a national total of just under £1.24 billion. The north-west will also benefit from the £100 million millennium festival fund and the millennium awards scheme for individuals.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. However, is he not aware of the great disquiet in constituencies such as mine over uneven distribution of funds from the Millennium Commission? Will he undertake to do all in his power to persuade the commission to consider favourably applications from areas that have not yet received any millennium funding—which just happen to include my own constituency?

Yes, I accept that, for my hon. Friend, that is a bit of a bummer. We all like to see money coming into our constituency.

The hon. Gentleman is a statesman.

I like to move around.

What assessment he has made of the job creation potential of Britain's creative industries. [46323]

The latest job survey figures produced on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment by the Office of National Statistics show that some 1.5 million people are employed in the creative industries. I intend shortly to publish the results of an exercise undertaken on behalf of the creative industries task force to map in greater detail the wealth and job-creation scope of the creative industries.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that 1.5 million figure, coupled with the 1.7 million figure comprising those working in the tourism industries, mean that he is responsible for two of the largest industries and biggest earners of foreign exchange in the United Kingdom? Is he aware that those industries have constantly to be replenished with new talent? Will he therefore discuss with employers in the theatre, film and television industries how they can make the new deal available to young self-employed artists, especially through open learning, in the same way as the music industry has made the new deal available to young musicians?

The answer to my hon. Friend's specific question is yes. We are already in discussion with those parts of the world of the arts to ensure that they can take full advantage of the new deal. On the general point, not only are those sectors of enormous economic importance but they are currently growing at twice the rate of the overall economy. That is why we take those parts of our economy seriously—although, from their earlier comments, it is quite obvious that Opposition Members do not.

How much money from the private sector has been raised so far for the millennium experience at Greenwich. [46342]

Over £100 million of private sector sponsorship has been identified so far. The New Millennium Experience Company is in active discussion with a number of companies, and is on course to achieve the target of £150 million by the end of the year.

Can it be true that the Minister is spending £500,000 trying to find out what makes us British? Will he accept it from me that one of our finest manifestations is the English language, which he is murdering by calling the British zone "UK at Now"?

I am not quite sure what that question has to do with private sector sponsorship of the millennium dome. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman—before moving on to a different matter, with which I shall deal in a moment—might have congratulated the company on its success in identifying that amount of money to date. One year ago, not one penny of private sector sponsorship had been identified by the previous Administration. I have read, with interest, the same articles as the hon. Gentleman on the national identity zone. However, I have to say that, just last Friday, as I visited the design company and team working on the zone, I did not recognise much in the reports that was true. As for the specific issue of the opinion poll—which will not be costing £500,000—I should prefer to see in the dome what the British people themselves regard and express as their national identity. I am rather more interested in the views of the British people than I am in those of any team of designers, the millennium organisers or the Minister without Portfolio.

Has my hon. Friend seen the report by the English tourist board, which suggests that the millennium experience and the dome will be a huge boost for jobs in the south-east, which will have a direct impact on my constituency and the outlying areas of Sussex and Kent?

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The report by the English tourist board is extremely encouraging and confirms one reason—employment creation and its benefit to the British economy—of the many for going ahead with the millennium project in the first place. In addition, the British Tourist Authority has said that, on a conservative estimate, the experience will generate £300 million to £500 million of overseas revenue, and the true amount could be double that—£1 billion could be the economic halo effect for Britain of our holding this millennium experience.

I am not entirely sure that the hon. Gentleman has finally crossed his t's and dotted his i's in terms of the sponsorship that he claims but, be that as it may, I want to be helpful about the dome—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] Oh yes, I want to be helpful. Is not the single biggest impediment the fact that, in the hands of the Minister without Portfolio, the project is increasingly being seen as a party political bandwagon, albeit one that has already lost a couple of wheels? Would not the most helpful thing be for the Minister now to give way to a non-political person of real independence and stature who can get to grips with the project and pull in the remaining sponsorship that is so badly needed?

The hon. Gentleman says that he wants to be a little more supportive. He may not have noticed that the question that he has just asked is exactly the question asked by his predecessor, not only at the previous session of oral questions, but at the one before, so the hon. Gentleman seems to be stuck in a bit of a rut. I am surprised because the hon. Gentleman was a member of the Government and of the National Heritage Department team that originally developed the proposals for the millennium experience in the first place. I hope that, on that basis, we can look forward to a little more encouragement and support for the excellent work being undertaken.

Will my hon. Friend point out to the House that the private sector companies investing in the millennium dome are this country's world-class companies? It is a tribute to them that they see it as an opportunity to sell their wares and the talents and skills of this country. It is difficult these days to ask a question in support of the millennium dome because of the awful attitude of the Opposition; some London Labour Members who do not know what is a good investment in their own backyard; and The Daily Telegraph, which calls us sycophants if we show any support, but does my hon. Friend accept that he has our support and will continue to have it because the project is good for Britain and good for our future?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that support. The fact is that no comparable event has raised such a large sum of money so quickly in private sector sponsorship, or so far in advance of the event taking place. That is absolutely unprecedented and very encouraging. As my hon. Friend points out, our best and most forward-looking companies are picking up the challenge because they see their commercial interest coinciding with the national interest. We are on course to meet our ambitious sponsorship target. It is very ambitious indeed, but I am confident that we shall meet it by the end of the year. I look forward to announcements of further substantial sponsors quite soon.

If he will make a statement on the progress of preparations for the spirit zone. [46346]

Details of the design for the spirit zone of the millennium experience were made public on 24 February this year. Since then, the New Millennium Experience Company has been working closely with the Lambeth Consultation Group, which comprises representatives of the main Churches and other faith groups, to ensure that the zone reflects the spiritual values identified by the Lambeth group. Copies of the group's document setting out its approach have been placed in the Library of the House.

Will the Minister suggest how a Christian visitor to the dome—celebrating, after all, the birthday of Christ—may enjoy spiritual contemplation in the spirit zone with the roar of the Blackwall tunnel below, the clamour of the Cirque du Soleil just yards away six times a day, and not a crucifix in sight?

The Lambeth group, on which the Churches are represented, has agreed the design brief and the approach that is being taken by the company to the construction of the zone and to the millennium experience. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman, from his close examination of the proposals, is disappointed, but, when he comes to the dome, as I hope that he and his family will, he will be as excited as other Christians and members of other religious faiths. If, however, he does not want to come to the dome, he might bear it in mind that the Churches are organising a full programme of events in that year, focused on Pentecost 2000 on 10 and 11 June, and the millennium affirmation, which it is also sponsoring. There will also be national church services to mark the passing of the millennium. If that is not enough, the New Millennium Experience Company has already said that there will be a place in the dome for private prayer.

Has the British Humanist Association been involved in the discussions in relation to the spirit zone, to ensure that the growing number of people who have no belief in any religion, but who do believe there is a spiritual nature to mankind, are involved in the spirit level?

My hon. Friend touches on an important point, which is that, although the dome should reflect the important contribution that the Christian Church has made to our history and society, we also want the millennium experience to be open to members of all faiths and of none. I am sorry that some Conservative Members do not share that view. They think that it should be an exclusive event—only for those who go to church. It will be enjoyable and appealing to those who go to church, but it will also be appealing to those of all faiths and of none, and that is precisely what it should be.

What is the value of the commissioners' assets invested abroad. [46351]

The commissioners have £350 million invested in overseas equities, representing approximately 10 per cent. of their total assets.

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. As he must be aware, newspaper reports in recent months have shown quite heavy losses in the far east. What is the extent of those losses to the Church's holdings? Will he take a message from me to the Church Commissioners? Will he remind them of the old adage, "In God we trust. Others pay cash"?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his supplementary question. In 1997, a total return of 10.6 per cent. was achieved on overseas equities, which compared favourably with the UK pension fund universal return of 7.5 per cent. That result has contributed to the commissioners' overall performance, which placed it in the top 1 per cent. when compared with other UK pension funds.

After a bad experience quite a long time ago, have not the Church Commissioners done a remarkable job in the past few years? Should we not all be pleased about the turnaround in their fortunes, which is a great tribute to the integrity and effort of the people who look after the money for them? Will the hon. Gentleman—just to reassure the hon. Member for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins), who clearly does not understand—confirm that a portfolio of that size, by its nature, has to be invested throughout the world? I am sure that the Church Commissioners have taken whatever steps they need to take to respond to the crisis in the far east.

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments, which will be greatly welcomed by the Church Commissioners and their staff, who spend an enormous amount of time investing £3.5 billion. The valuation loss from our far eastern equities has been proportionately minor compared with those of other institutional funds because of our relatively low exposure to those areas.

What steps the Commissioners are taking to finance the spirit zone in the millennium dome. [46352]

The commissioners will not be providing finance for the spirit zone. They are required by law to use their income for the stipends, pensions and housing of the clergy of the Church of England. However, I have made it clear to the New Millennium Experience Company that, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, I am willing, with others, to assist the company in opening discussions with potential sponsors who see the importance of that essential element for the zone's success.

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Press reports have said that several million pounds are needed to finance the spirit zone in the millennium dome. Is he confident that the money will be raised through sponsorship and that the zone will be ready when the dome opens?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that supplementary. My hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio, the New Millennium Experience Company and the Churches, through the Lambeth Consultation Group, have demonstrated their determination to have a spirit zone in the dome and to make it a success. For what it is worth, I add my determination and commitment to ensuring that the spirit zone and other Church events referred to by my hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio will be a success.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of my constituents have expressed concern that, while previous generations have built soaring cathedrals, we are building the dome? Given that we are officially a Christian country, will the hon. Gentleman confirm that there will be a place in the millennium experience for the celebration of the anniversary that the millennium is all about?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that supplementary. The Church has gone to great lengths to ensure a full Christian dimension in the spirit zone. The Archbishop of Canterbury went to see the millennium dome and missed the England-Romania game—greater love hath no man. He is content with the Christian element of the spirit zone, as is the Lambeth group. When it is fully revealed to the public and to the hon. Gentleman's constituents, I am sure that they, too, will be content.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure us that the Church Commissioners will use the opportunity of the millennium for a review of the assets of the Church of England? In some places, we have five churches where one would do. We have vicarages and houses that are inappropriate for our generation. Church plants are often made away from where the people are. One of the most useful things that we can do to get across the message of the Christian faith is to ensure that the money that we are spending is used wisely, economically and, above all, in the right place.

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. As the House knows, we passed the draft National Institutions Measure two weeks ago, creating an Archbishops Council. No doubt, the council will wish to consider the hon. Gentleman's question to see whether the Church's finances can be better focused and streamlined. As the hon. Gentleman knows, there are many sources of finance in the Church. No doubt, the Archbishops Council will want to consider his suggestion.

If he will make a statement on the Church Commissioners' 30 per cent. threshold for ethical investments. [46353]

Precise benchmarking criteria are not operated. The benchmark that we use is whether the restricted areas represent a sufficiently limited proportion of the whole group, rather than the absolute size.

How do the Church's investments in weapons of warfare advance the work of the prince of peace?

I am always grateful for helpful supplementaries, of which that is one. The Church welcomes the new European Union code of conduct on arms sales, which should tighten the laws on arms sales to repressive regimes. We work closely with the ethical investment working group of the Church Commissioners, which has developed a dialogue over the past two years with companies that manufacture arms. We ensure that companies always operate under Government licence and within the ethical guidelines of the Church Commissioners.

If he will make a statement on the work of the Church Commissioners during the past year in respect of funding clergy. [46354]

In 1997, the commissioners' total expenditure on behalf of the Church was £130.6 million—£82 million on clergy pensions. We contributed £24.6 million towards the total stipends bill of £159.7 million.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer. In commending the commissioners and their advisers on the great and welcome increase in the returns recently secured on their investments, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that a large proportion of it will benefit clergy, stipends and pensions through the dioceses?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. The commissioners' aim is always to achieve sustainable expenditure so that we can continue to meet our principal objective of supporting ministry in the neediest diocese. As part of that plan, as he will know, we aim to provide minimum support of £20 million for parochial ministry in the foreseeable future. On the dioceses, to which he referred, it is important that parishioners meet a growing proportion of needs of the Church through stipends costs and, of course, the cost of future service pensions. I am sure that he appreciates the floor of £20 million a year.