§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from(a) sporting bodies and (b) sporting individuals 242W in (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales in respect of their access to the UK Sports Institute network; and if he will make a statement. [47795]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 30 June 1998]: No representations have been received in my Department from sporting bodies or sporting individuals in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in respect of their access to the UK Sports Institute. Such individuals and bodies are, of course, welcome to discuss access to the UK Sports Institute network with the UK Sports Council.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the measures his Department has taken to invite sports to participate in the UK Sports Institute. [47796]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 30 June 1998]: Eight Sports Governing Bodies took up an invitation to have a statement of their potential requirements for training and related facilities added at the shortlisting stage of the bidding process for the UK Sports Institute Headquarters. Discussions are taking place at UK and Home Country level with Governing Bodies to establish the extent of their participation in the UK Sports Institute network, in terms of facilities, and in respect of their World Class Performance Plans.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in respect of the provision of(a) sports medicine, (b) sports science, (c) sports research, (d) talent identification and (e) the setting of standards within the UK Sports Institute. [47794]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The UK Sports Council has set up a sports science/sports medicine technical committee with representatives from each discipline to develop the approach to these services for the UK Sports Institute. The Institute will play a key role in sports research. The UK Sports Council is taking a lead in discussions with interested parties to establish systems to help identify sporting talent. The UK Sports Institute Headquarters will be responsible for accrediting the UK Sports Institute network to standards laid down by the UK Sports Council.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the nature of the sports research to be undertaken by the UK Sports Institute. [47793]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The nature of the sports research to be undertaken by the UK Sports Institute has not yet been defined but will complement the provision of services and training facilities to our top sportsmen and women. I understand that the hon. Member will be meeting the UKSI Project Team at the UK Sports Council next month and he will be able to get further reassurance on this and a range of related issues.