HC Deb 15 November 2001 vol 374 cc829-30W
Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what financial support he gives for the construction of swimming pools in partnership with local and regional authorities. [14040]

Dr. Whitehead

This Department makes no specific financial provision available for construction of swimming pools. However local authorities may use their non ring-fenced basic credit approvals, which are issued by this Department, to support borrowing for any capital projects. The majority of capital funding for sport is channelled through the sports councils. Sport England is the distributor for the Lottery Sports Fund, to which local authorities may apply, which provides funding for a range of community sports facilities, including swimming pools.