§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the eligibility for EU and lottery funds of the proposed move of Yorkshire county cricket club to Wakefield. [7037]
§ Mr. SproatIt would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage on the eligibility of possible applications by Wakefield metropolitan city council for European and national lottery funding for the proposed new ground for Yorkshire county cricket club in Wakefield. Any such applications will be treated on their merits. In general terms, applications to the European structural fund must demonstrate that new investment will be attracted to the region in which the project is sited, while applications for lottery moneys for sports projects must demonstrate that the proposed facilities will benefit the whole community. The Sports Council has already advised YCCC that applications to the lottery sports fund for spectator accommodation currently have relatively low priority, but the policy is under review, in discussion with a number of sports including cricket.