HC Deb 03 November 1994 vol 248 cc1298-9W
Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the current salary of the chairman and other officers of the Sports Council; and if they are on performance-related pay.

Mr. Sproat

The salary of the chairman of the Sports Council is published annually in the Cabinet Office's publication "Public Bodies", and is currently £20,546. This is reviewed in line with the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body, subject to satisfactory performance. It is not practice to publish the salaries of individual employees. Performance-related pay has however been introduced in line with the arrangements which apply in the civil service.

Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects to announce that changes to the Sports Council have been implemented.

Mr. Sproat

As I announced to the House on 8 July,Official Report, columns 584-86, I expect the restructuring of the Sports Council to be achieved during the next financial year.

Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what basis the Sports Council will continue to fund the English School Sports Association and its members.

Mr. Sproat

Within the broad policy framework which the Government set, it is for the Sports Council to determine its own policies and priorities for spending.

Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the availability of non-vocational qualifications in sport; and if he will list those that will be available by 1 January 1995.

Mr. Sproat

Sport NVQs are currently available in playwork—levels 2, 3 and 4—sport and recreation—level 1—sport and recreation—facility operations—level 2, sport and recreation (development) (level 3), sport and recreation (outdoor education) (level 3), sport and recreation (supervision) (level 3), sport and recreation management (facilities) (level 4) and sport and recreation management (sports development) (level 4). In addition, coaching NVQs, which must be delivered through a specific sport, are currently being developed. It is likely that by 1 January 1995, coaching NVQs will be available in swimming, windsurfing, football, karate, basketball, fitness, hockey and lawn tennis.

Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary for National Heritage which sports will be funded under the reorganised Sports Council.

Mr. Sproat

As I announced to the House on 8 July,Official Report, columns 584-86, it will be for the new English Sports Council to decide on which sports to concentrate its resources.

Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met the Sports Council; what was discussed at the meeting; and what conclusions were agreed.

Mr. Sproat

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for National Heritage, met members of the Sports Council on an informal basis on 12 September and discussed a range of issues with them. I met the council on 17 October to hear its views on our proposals for the future structure and focus of the new United Kingdom and English Sports councils.