§ Sir John HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what importance he attaches to competitive sport in schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SproatI consider competitive sport in schools to be of the utmost importance in enabling children to learn to work together as a team within a framework of rules. This is an essential skill for adult life and we are currently working with the Department for Education on proposals for putting competitive sport back at the heart of school life.
§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action he is taking to improve facilities for school sport.
§ Mr. SproatThe Sports Council supports the community use of school sports facilities and has provided £12 million for upgrading existing facilities or building new ones over the last 11 years. In addition, schools satisfying certain criteria will be eligible to receive national lottery funds for dual use facilities when they come on stream in 1995.