§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what responsibility her Department has for the funding of angling. [31011]
§ Mr. SproatMy Department does not fund any sports directly. The majority of Government money specifically allocated to sport and active recreation is channelled through the Sports Council. While operating within a policy framework set by Government, the Sports Council has a degree of independence under its royal charter. In 1994–95, Sports Council grants to the governing bodies of angling totalled £54,125. The Department also funds Sportsmatch, the business sponsorship incentive scheme, which provided £42,250 in awards for angling schemes in 1994–95.