HOWELLS APPOINTED FILM & BROADCASTING MINISTER

DR KIM Howells has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on June 11.
Howells, 54, whose new ministerial portfolio will include Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, was previously the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Consumers and Corporate Affairs at the Department of Trade and Industry (1999-2001) and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Lifelong Learning at the Department for Education and Employment (1997-1999).
In 1995, Howells was appointed Opposition Spokesman for Trade and Industry. Prior to this, he was the Opposition Spokesman for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1994) and Opposition Spokesman for Home Affairs (1994).
Howells said: "I am delighted to be appointed as Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting.
"Promoting tourism in Britain and helping to restore confidence within the tourist industry following the foot and mouth outbreak is one my first priorities. I want to ensure that Britain continues to be a first-class holiday destination and that we continue to raise standards to the meet the demands of an increasingly competitive global market.
"Continuing the process of reform of communications regulation is another key area of responsibility which I am delighted to be taking forward. Ensuring that more people can take advantage of the wide range of services that the digital age offers is so important when much of our leisure time is spent watching the TV, listening to the radio or surfing the web.
"By listening to those who use the services and to the industries which are so crucial to the UK, we aim to provide lighter touch regulation, secure the best of public service broadcasting and promote competition to deliver services of the highest standards." (CD)