§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if additional public funding is being sought for the Commonwealth games in Manchester; and if she will make a statement. [35740]
§ Mr. CabornOn 2 July 2001 I announced an additional £80 million in funding for the games together with a contingency fund of £25 million, made up from contributions from Government, Sport England and Manchester city council. This additional funding was based on a thorough and realistic appraisal of the games equal costs undertaken by Patrick Carter.
Since then the games has remained firmly on track and within budget. And I can confirm that we have not received any requests for additional public funding over and above that announced last year although Government and the other funders have approved an £8.4 million call on the contingency following the collapse of Atlantic Telecom, the games principal sponsor and telecoms infrastructure provider at the end of last year.