§ Sir Hector Monroasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the Sports Council's proposed grant-in-aid for 1986–87.
§ Mr. TraceyThe Sports Council's grant in aid is increased for the next financial year, 1986–87, from the current £30.6 million to £37 million. This substantial increase reflects our general confidence in the effective work of the council and our support for the programme set out in its corporate plan. The allocation of the additional funds is for the Sports Council to decide, within the framework of the plan; but we expect it will need most: of these funds—about £5 million—to help district and borough councils with projects of wider than local interest in the wake of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils. Additionally, we have provided the council with about £1 million for more inner city projects, supplementing the extensive and varied work the council is already doing in these important areas, and for other new developments in hand.
The Sports Council is engaged in important objectives, in particular to boost mass participation, and especially in areas of need and stress. As for all the Department's 223W sponsored bodies, we look to the council under its new chairman, John Smith, to continue to strive for efficiency and value for money in all its activities.