HC Deb 16 December 1998 vol 322 cc573-4W
Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what dates he has had meetings with the DfEE to discuss the role of sport in the curriculum; and with whom such meetings have taken place. [63424]

Mr. Banks

[holding answer 14 December 1998]: Both I and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly discuss the role of sport in the Curriculum with colleagues from DfEE. My hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards and I attended the launch of the Sporting Ambassadors Scheme, an ESC initiative to provide opportunities for successful sports men and women of all ages to visit schools to enthuse young people about the benefits of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, on 1 July. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for

Country Date visited Purpose of visit
France 10 June 1997 Meeting/reception with Madam Buffet re preparations for World Cup 1998
Italy 10 October 1997 Italy v England—Quarter final for 1998 World Cup
United States of America 23 October 1997 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Trinidad and Tobago 25 October 1997 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Costa Rica 28 October 1997 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
France 4 December 1997 1998 World Cup Draw
Belgium 27 January 1998 Intergroup meeting on Sport
Japan 6 February 1998 Winter Olympics
South Korea 12 February 1998 Winter Olympics
Thailand 14 February 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Belgium 17 March 1998 2006 Bid meeting
Paraguay 24 March 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Argentina 26 March 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Qatar 19 April 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
France 10 June 1998 Meeting with Madam Buffet and European Union Ministers for Sport
France 10 July 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Switzerland 1 September 1998 Meeting with President Samaranch and Sepp Blatter
Malaysia 9 September 1998 Commonwealth Games
South Africa 12 September 1998 IAAF 8th Athletics World Cup
Republic of Ireland 27 September 1998 Gaelic Football—All Ireland Final
Spain 5 October 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
France 23 October 1998 Council of Europe Hearing of Bosman Ruling
Cameroon 1 November 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Mali 3 November 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Malta 12 November 1998 Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup
Austria 24 November 1998 Troika Sports Ministers meeting

Heads of Missions overseas have reported on the value of these visits, not only to The Football Association's Campaign for the England 2006 World Cup but also in furthering relations between this country and the rest of the world. I will be writing to the hon. Member shortly about these reports.

Education and Employment and I both discussed sport when we spoke at the Youth Sport Trust's Annual Reception on 18 November.