§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye (Mrs. Lait), of 27 March,Official Report, column 482, when he now expects to announce his conclusions as to whether it would be appropriate and practicable for his Department to take an interest in sponsoring chess. [32688]
§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about departmental responsibility for chess. [33023]
§ Mr. SproatI can confirm that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has agreed with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment that from the beginning of the next financial year my Department will take on the future funding of chess.