Mr. Michael J. FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the benefits to young women and girls of participating in sport. [65077]
§ Mr. BanksWhilst this Department has not carried out specific research, the English Sports Council (ESC), through which central Government funding for sport is channelled, undertakes a range of activities aimed at promoting the benefits of sport and encouraging more women into sport. The ESC will be carrying out its Young People and Sport Survey later this year. The survey will focus on the participation rates of girls in sport.
The Government remain determined to increase the opportunities for women in sport at all levels. We shall continue to work closely with the Sports Councils and others to make progress on this issue and will look closely at women in sport as part of our Strategy for Sport, due to be published in the Summer.
I have had useful discussions with a number of groups to discuss women and sport, including the Womens Sports Foundation and have valued proposals about how the Government can do more for women in sport. I shall be meeting shortly with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Women to discuss this.