British Parliament Members Form Cross-Party Game Group

Members of the British Parliament have created an All Party Parliamentary Group on the Computer and Video Games Industry in the Westminster Parliament to address issues in the gaming sector. According to a statement issued by U.K. and European video game trade organization Tiga, the purpose of the cross-party group is "to provide a forum to discuss business issues affecting video games software developers, to develop policies to enhance the sector and to champion an industry that responsibly creates content for an audience ranging from children to adults." Bill Olner, MP, will lead the group as chairman. The three vice chairs include Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, C.B.E., John Whittingdale O.B.E MP, Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, and Philip Davies MP. Dr. Nick Palmer MP will serve as treasurer. "The participation of distinguished parliamentarians ... will lend real weight to the Group’s work," said Tiga CEO Richard Wilson. He added, "The establishment of the All Party Group on the Computer and Video Games Industry will ensure that issues affecting the sector, including the tax system, skill needs and industry-academia links are raised still more effectively in Parliament and Government." Said Olner, “All-Party Groups can be a highly effective vehicle to raise and discuss issues amongst interested Parliamentarians." Tiga listed 22 members of the group in a press statement. Olner, Whittingdale and Wilson will be speaking on Monday, June 15, addressing the Play Together initiative, which intends to help bolster the games industry in the U.K.