§ 3. Maria Eagle (Liverpool, Garston)What steps his Department is taking to improve safety and spectator comfort at cricket grounds. [87199]
§ The Minister for Sport (Mr. Tony Banks)The Government are determined that spectators of all sports should be able to enjoy the action in safety and comfort. In April, I announced new roles for both Sport England and the Football Licensing Authority in our drive to modernise sports grounds throughout the country. Sport England is to fund a £10 million improvement scheme in the next four years to help top rugby league and rugby union teams and the major cricket counties to improve safety at their grounds. In addition, the Football Licensing Authority will be reconstituted as the sports grounds safety authority and will have an advisory role on safety issues associated with all sports that use outdoor sports stadiums, including cricket. I am sure that my hon Friend will agree that these are welcome developments.
§ Maria EagleI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that the best way to improve spectator comfort at cricket grounds would be to improve the England cricket team, since there is little more depressing than having to watch a succession of England batsmen returning to the pavilion, whether one is watching in safety and comfort or not?
§ Mr. BanksMental comfort might indeed be improved by greater success, but our lads tried their best—it is just that on that occasion their best was not good enough. I hope that the recent changes that have been announced, in particular Nasser Hussain's captaincy, will help to restore the fortunes of English cricket, which is dear to the hearts of all of us in this House.