§ 19. Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the contribution that arts and sport can make to tackling social exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [91357]
§ Mr. Chris SmithMy Department has led an inter-departmental Policy Action Team which reported to the Social Exclusion Unit on the contribution arts and 75W sport can make to combating social exclusion. The team found that participation in the arts and sport can develop individuals' talents and self-confidence, encourage collective effort and contribute to improvements in health and education attainment and reductions in crime and unemployment. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of the House.