§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many submissions have been received as a part of his Department's consultation process on the future of the sports councils; how many expressed an opinion on his proposals to(a) restrict sports council direct funding to a core of two to three dozen sports and (b) cut the formal links between the sports council and the regional councils for sport and recreation; and if he will divide the figures into those in favour of his proposals and those against.
§ Mr. SproatIn accordance with the Government's code of practice on open government, I will publish the facts and analysis which were relevant and important in framing our final decisions on reform of the Sports Council when these decisions are announced publicly. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his written question of 28 November,Official Report, column 477, for the 499W current position on our consideration of responses to the consultation exercise.