§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects to be able to announce the membership of the proposed Sports Council for England. [17499]
§ Mr. DorrellI confirmed the Government's intention to set up new United Kingdom and English Sports Councils from 1 January 1996, subject to the grant of royal charters, on 23 March,Official Report, column 316. I announced at the time of his appointment as chairman of the GB Sports Council that Mr. Rodney Walker would in due course become first chairman of the Sports Council for England. I am pleased to be able to announce today the remaining members-designate of the Sports Council for England:
- Mr. Gerald Dennis1 Vice-Chairman
- Mr. Trevor Brooking1 Vice-Chairman
- Mr. Keith Oates1
- Ms Julia Bracewell1
- Mr. Tim Marshall1
- Mr. Geoff Thompson1
- Mr. Ian Botham
- Mr. Jeff Probyn
- Mr. Chris Boardman
- Mr. Peter Blake
- Mr. Andrew Hancock
- Mr. Jim Munn
- Mr. David Oxley
- Mr. Sam Stoker
- 1 Are serving members of the present GB Sports Council.
We proposed last July that the English council should concentrate its resources on an increased programme of direct support for governing bodies of sport for the development of sport from the grass roots to the highest competitive levels. We expect the English council to develop its policies and programmes in full and meaningful co-operation both with the Central Council of Physical Recreation, which represents the interests of governing bodies, and with local authority interests.
I am also able to confirm that, as proposed on 8 July 1994, the present linkage between the Sports Council and the Regional Councils for Sport and Recreation will come to an end from 1 January 1996. Ministers will cease from today to renew or make fresh appointments to those bodies, but will in future appoint ministerial nominees in each of the regions of the English Sports Council. These will bring a further range of experience and expertise to the council's work, including that of local government.