§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many contracts for the UK Sports Institute have been(a) put out to tender and (b) signed. [62702]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 7 December 1998]: This is primarily a matter for those in Sheffield who are setting up the Headquarters of the UK Sports Institute. However, I understand that a number of contracts, including contracts for design and for site investigation as well as contracts of employment, have been let although no construction contracts have yet been put out to tender or signed. Both the UK Sports Council and Phoenix have assured me that good progress is being made.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in identifying sites for the national and regional centres of the UK Sports Institute. [62701]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 7 December 1998]: We have already announced that the Headquarters of the UK Sports Institute will be located in Sheffield. Separate announcements have been made about arrangements in Scotland. So far as England is concerned, the English Sports Council has been consulting wide with potential providers of services and I understand it will soon be in a position to make further proposals to the Government. We have already agreed that there should be a devolved regional structure. Some extra time has been taken by the Council to ensure that the whole of England is adequately covered, including East Anglia and the concentrations of population of the south coast.