§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress the Government have made in reviewing the options for a national stadium. [973]
§ Tessa JowellMy right hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) explained to the House on 2 May 2001,Official Report, column 852W, that the Government would review options for a National Stadium in the light of the Football Association's announcement on 1 May that it could not deliver its plans for a new National Football and Rugby League Stadium at Wembley. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced on 8 May that the Government had asked Patrick Carter, a non executive member of the Strategy Board for Correctional Services, to analyse the alternative ways forward for the project. This work was delayed because of the general election but is now under way. The terms of reference for Mr. Carter's work are:
In the light of the FA's announcement on 1 May 2001 about the project to develop a new English National Stadium at Wembley for Football and Rugby League, to examine if the project can be funded and managed at Wembley, or if that proved impractical, at another location in England. The review should report to the Government within eight weeks.Mr. Carter will consult interested parties in reaching conclusions.