§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much public money was spent in grants to governing bodies of lawn tennis in the last five years; for what purposes; and if he is satisfied that such grants have been properly spent.
§ Mr. MonroThe governing body of lawn tennis is the Lawn Tennis Association. Grants paid to that association by the Sports Council—through which all public funds for sport are channelled—over the last five years are as follows:—
Year Coaching International Training Total (£'s) (£'s) (£'s) (£'s) 1975–76 14,588 7,500 — 22,088 1976–77 13,594 9,000 — 22,594 1977–78 19,399 18,731 7,338 45,468 1978–79 27,879 18,200 7,256 53,335 1979–80 44,459 16,200 9,500 70,159 The Sports Council is an independent body under its royal charter and takes full responsibility for its decisions. I understand that it is fully satisfied that grants to the LTA are wisely spent: I fully agree.