§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the establishment of the UK Standards Authority for Sport; and what the membership is of the authority. [156487]
§ Kate HoeyOver recent months I have been in discussion with sporting and medical experts over whether there is a need for a UK Standards Authority for Sport and Exercise Medicine which could ensure that adequate standards are in place to minimise the risk of injury or illness through sport.
In order to consider current provision, and whether such an authority should be established, I have convened a working group who will meet over the next few months to explore the key issues involved. The working group will then make recommendations to me on whether there is a need for a UK Standards Authority for Sport and Exercise Medicine, and if so what its role and remit might be, and how it might be established.
416WUnder the chairmanship of Sir Oliver Popplewell, the group met for the first time on 27 March and have now begun a process of consultation with experts from a range of medical and sporting backgrounds.
The other members of the working group are David Oxley, OBE, Chairman of the Central Council for Physical Recreation; Peter Hamlyn, consultant neurosurgeon; Professor Donald Macleod. Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons; Dr. Stephanie Cook, MBE, modern pentathlon gold medal winner at Sydney 2000; Dr. Nick Webborn, Medical Adviser for the National Sport Medicine Institute; and Karen Hambly, Sports Medicine Co-ordinator for the UK Sports Institute.