More In Hope Than Expectation

The announcement that the U.K. government’s department for culture, media and sport is to set up a parliamentary inquiry into ticket touting is drawing a lukewarm response from the live music industry.

Having spent a year discussing the problem with culture secretary Tessa Jowell and finding she took little notice of their views when it came to legislating against touts, leading promoters and venue operators are concerned the new investigation will end up in much the same place as the last.

Live Nation U.K. managing director Stuart Galbraith told BBC News that he welcomed the new probe but "remained to be convinced" it would be of any use.

Nottingham Arena’s Geoff Huckstep – chairman of the National Arenas’ Association – feels it’s the industry’s last chance to get its point across.

"I think this is the last opportunity but I do feel more confident again as I think we have a chance of convincing Tessa Jowell and Shaun Woodward to act," Huckstep told Pollstar, encouraged by the fact that sports bodies including the England and Wales Test And County Cricket Board are putting more pressure on the government.

"We really need some managers and artists to throw their weight in too," he added.

Many of those involved with the first round of government dialogue feel Woodward, Labour MP for St Helens South and one of Jowell’s DCMS colleagues, takes a more sympathetic view of the industry’s problems with secondary ticket sellers.

The 11-strong parliamentary committee will be chaired by John Whittingdale, Conservative MP for Maldon & East Chelmsford and another who’s made some effort to understand the music industry’s problems.

He’s a former shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport. During his time in that post, he joined a few British Phonographic Industry raids on pirate CD and DVD factories.

Among other things, the MPs will look at whether the resale of tickets is acceptable in principle and whether the ban on touting at football matches and the 2012 Olympics should be extended to other events.

The committee is seeking the views of promoters, ticket agencies and other interested parties and has asked for written submissions by June 6th.