§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many councils for sport and recreation there are in England; how many staff in total they employ at what total inclusive cost, and in how many buildings; and in what ways such councils are accountable.
§ Mr. MonroThe Sports Council is the only such council in England grant-aided by Government. On 1 January 1981 it employed a total of 549 staff. These are split between the London headquarters, nine regional offices and six national centres. The information requested is as follows:
Location Number of staff Number of buildings Cost (1980–81) £ million HQ London 126 1 1.296 Regional offices 141 9 1.344 National centres 282 6 — The cost of national centres staff during 1980–81 is not yet available. The council is accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to whom annual reports and statements of accounts are made. In addition there are nine regional councils for sport and recreation. These are advisory bodies serviced by the regional staff of the Sports Council within the costs mentioned above.