§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest efforts to attract the 2000 Olympic Games to Manchester.
§ Sir George YoungThe Government are doing all they can to back Manchester's bid to stage the Millennium Games in Britain. In particular:—
We have made available up to £75 million to support the bid and the immediate construction of key facilities. Excellent progress is being made on the Olympic arena, the national cycling centre and the acquisition and clearance of the site for the Olympic stadium in East Manchester.There has been a large number of visits by International Olympic Committee members to Manchester in recent months and over 70 members will have seen what Manchester offers by the time the IOC decide the nomination on 23 September. Minsiters are playing a full part in these discussions.We have given full backing to Manchester's recent initiative for a $25 million Millennium Foundation to help with the training and travel cost of teams competing in the Manchester Olympic Games. This far-sighted proposal will promote equality of opportunity and provide assistance for teams who need it.The Prime Minister welcomed members of the IOC to Downing street on 28 June; he is meeting IOC President Samaranch again this week; and he has announced that he will be going to Monte Carlo to help promote Manchester's hid at the time of the IOC vote in September.