§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been undertaken or commissioned by his Department to determine the extent to which people who take part in vigorous sport on a regular basis smoke less than average; and what measures are being taken to increase participation.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe general household survey shows that those people who participate in sport are slightly less likely to smoke than those who do not participate, whatever their age or income.
The measures being undertaken by the Sports Council to increase participation are described in the following publications:
- The Sports Council Corporate Plan 1989–90;
- The Sports Council Annual Report 1987–88;
- A Strategy for Sport 1988–1993;
- Sport in the Community, Into the '90's
Copies are available from the Sports Council.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which the gap identified in the Wolfenden report between participation in sport before and after leaving school has been closed; whether he is now seeking an increase in post-school participation in the next five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Sports Council has identified that participation in sport falls sharply once young people have left school. Figures taken from the general household survey (1986) show that there has, over the last five years been an increase, in percentage terms, in the number of 221W young people participating in indoor sports but a slight decrease in those participating in outdoor sports. The Sports Council has adopted a variety of policies and initiatives aimed at fostering increased participation among this age group.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to what extent the Sports Council campaign to increase sporting participation amongst young people has been successful; and what are its present aspirations in this area.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Sports Council has identified that participation in sport falls sharply once young people have left school. The council has adopted a variety of policies and initiatives, including the "Ever thought of Sport"? and "What's your Sport"? campaigns, aimed at reducing this trend.