Women's Football

HC Deb 13 May 2002 vol 385 cc495-6

9. Mr. John Grogan (Selby)

What plans she has to encourage the development of women's football. [53970]

The Minister for Sport (Mr. Richard Caborn)

I am pleased to say that women's football is now the fastest growing sport in England. The development of women's football is the responsibility of the Football Association and a major component of its five-year development strategy. My officials are working very closely with the football authorities and other sporting organisations to raise the profile of women's sports. Probably one of the greatest boosts to women's football has been given by the film "Bend It Like Beckham", which I understand is bringing hundreds of young girls and women into football.

Mr. Grogan

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should welcome the first ever terrestrial television coverage of the women's FA cup final on BBC 1 last week—even though sadly, on this occasion, the pride of Yorkshire, the Doncaster Belles, were beaten by a London team, Fulham? Does he agree that such coverage, and indeed films such as "Bend It Like Beckham", can only encourage participation in the sport, especially among girls in their teenage years?

Mr. Caborn

Absolutely. If I may give a little advertisement, England are playing Germany in a world cup qualifier on 19 May at Selhurst Park. The match will be broadcast on Sky Television, but nevertheless, England are doing extremely well. Our concern about the lack of young people going from school into sport, which I mentioned earlier, is even more pronounced in relation to younger ladies leaving school. Anything that we can do to encourage such participation must be welcome. I hope that the FA will continue its good work and that we can capitalise on the fact that 2 million people have now seen "Bend It Like Beckham".

Mr. Andrew MacKay (Bracknell)

In welcoming the terrific success of women's football in this country, is it not a great pity that both the women's cup final and the international match will not be played at a national stadium in England? Is it not about time that we realised that Wembley will not work, and instead allowed the Birmingham site to proceed—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The right hon. Gentleman is out of order; those matters do not relate to the question.

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow, West)

Does my right hon. Friend accept that women's football UK-wide, London-wide, and particularly in north-west London, would benefit enormously from a new national stadium, especially one based at Wembley?

Hon. Members

Order.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is also out of order. Hon. Members on both sides are out of order.