§ 6. Simon Hughes (Southwark, North and Bermondsey)What discussions he has had since June 2001 with the National Assembly and others about national lottery funding for sport in Wales. [59911]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig)My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet colleagues regularly to discuss a range of issues, including lottery funding for sports.
§ Simon HughesDo Ministers accept that there is a direct link between the amount of provision for sport and other constructive activity for young people in Wales, and the ability to distract them from crime and other destructive activity? Given that at this very moment the Welsh team is preparing for the Commonwealth games, and presumably the Welsh football team is preparing for the World cup finals in four years' time, can Ministers assure us that throughout the whole of Wales—we on the Liberal Democrat Benches all speak as the beneficiaries 267 of sporting provision in Wales—young people can have access to sport in increased measure and at all ages from now on, and for the next four years?
§ Mr. TouhigYes, indeed. The Government are committed to using funds through the lottery to enhance the sporting abilities of our young people and to provide opportunities, especially in deprived areas of the United Kingdom, and in Wales in particular. The hon. Gentleman and the Government are on the same wavelength in that respect.