§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a decision has now been reached concerning their intention to make the Sports Council an independent grant-aiding body.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My Lords, I cannot add to what I said when the noble Baroness last inquired about this matter: that it is being considered and that a statement will be made in due course.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, the House has been very patient over this series of Questions; I think I have been patient, too. Does the noble Lord recall that it was 15 weeks ago, on October 29, when he said that all he would ask me to do was to be patient for just a little longer? May I ask whether, for his own sake, he hopes that this will not be for a great deal longer?
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, that is my hope. And I can bear well this gentle chiding from the Benches opposite, knowing that when my right honourable friend does make his decision it will be the right one.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, may we take it from the noble Lord, in view of what he has just said, that we are going to receive an affirmative response and that it is just a matter of normal delay?—because there are many sporting organi 140 sations that know exactly what is happening in this field, and are waiting to make their own plans. But if the noble Lord is confirming that we are going to receive an affirmative answer, then I will not press him any further.
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, I am grateful for that. I appreciate the point the noble Lord has made, but I cannot add to what I originally said.