HC Deb 07 December 1992 vol 215 cc454-5W
19. Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his policy towards rugby league football.

Mr. Brooke

The Government's role is to support and encourage the development of and participation in all sports including rugby league football, with most funding channelled through the Sports Council. In 1991–92, the council provided £160,000 to the British Amateur Rugby League Association—BARLA—and £12,000 to the English Schools Rugby League for the development of the game. In addition, over the past year, the Foundation for Sport and the Arts has provided over £750,000 in grant aid to rugby league clubs for various projects.

The Sports Council is also involved in promoting discussions between BARLA and the Rugby Football League about the creation of a unified governing body for rugby league.