§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if the Government will make arrangements for a Diamond Jubilee Baton Relay should London host the 2012 Olympics; [149929]
(2) what plans she has to link the 2012 Olympic Games bid to the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee; [150391]
(3) if she will recommend to the organisers of the London 2012 Olympic bid that they place more emphasis in their bid on the fact that 2012 will also be the Diamond Jubilee. [150392]
§ Tessa JowellThe Government and the bid company, London 2012, are fully aware that it would be a momentous occasion to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the same year as Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Some of the events to celebrate the Golden Jubilee were successfully integrated into the staging of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. It is too early to consider what specific celebrations will mark the Diamond Jubilee but London 2012 will consider what links could be made should we stage the Games. The IOC will select the host city on 6 July 2005.