Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the adequacy of sporting facilities in London; and if she will make a statement. [77519]
§ Mr. CabornMy Department has announced our intention to establish an England-wide database of sports facilities. Information on sports facilities in England is currently held by a variety of organisations, and a single database will enable more strategic Government investment in those areas and facilities 791W which are most important. My Department is currently assessing the scope, content and cost of the proposed database and how the project will be taken forward.
Local authorities are key providers of sport and recreation and play a central role in the delivery of sport for local communities. "New Planning Guidance for Sport, Open Space and Recreation", issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, provides robust guidelines to help local authorities to plan positively for the provision and assessment of open spaces, sports and recreation facilities in their areas.