§ 11. Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to assist the campaign to host the soccer World Cup in England in 2006. [7507]
§ Mr. BanksThe Government are committed to attracting major sporting events to the United Kingdom and are giving full promotional and diplomatic support to the Football Association's bid to host the 2006 World cup. I am chairing a co-ordinating group of FA, Premier League, Sports Council and Government officials to ensure that we focus the campaign as much as possible.
§ Mr. CoakerIs my hon. Friend aware of the tremendous support throughout the country for bringing the World cup to England in 2006 and of the great boost that it would be for soccer? Will he comment on the ways in which football clubs and supporters might work with the Government to assist in his campaign to bring the World cup here?
§ Mr. BanksI certainly agree with my hon. Friend that it would be an enormous boost to British football, and indeed to tourism and to the country as a whole.
My hon. Friend asks what clubs and supporters can do to assist the Government, the FA, the Premier League and others in getting the 2006 World cup here. I would say to him and to all football supporters that they should be on their best behaviour, especially when travelling in Europe next season for the various European competitions. I shall be travelling with my club, and I can assure the House that I shall be on my very best behaviour. If football fans laid off the lager and were a little more Gauguin than Gazza, that might assist us enormously.