§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will add representatives from the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment to the Sports Cabinet. [88498]
§ Mr. Chris SmithThe Sports Cabinet, which I chair, brings together the Sports Ministers of the four parts of the United Kingdom and others who are closely involved in the development of sport at an elite level and the achievement of excellence. It provides for a collective political discussion of the most strategic priorities for UK sport.
To assist us in the consideration of policy, the Sports Cabinet will also from time to time draw on a pool of independent figures to provide expert advice on particular issues. This could include non-executive members of the 119W UK Sports Council, prominent sports representatives and also Ministers or officials from affected Government departments.
The Ministers with responsibilities which affect sport in England also keep in close touch, and will continue to do so.