HC Deb 08 March 1996 vol 273 cc390-1W
Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money the Government have spent in conducting drug tests on sportsmen and women in each year since 1979. [19316]

Mr. Sproat

From April 1988, when the Sports Council's doping control unit was established, until March 1995 a total of £5,261,778 has been spent on anti-doping activities, including £4,951,828 on testing. The sports councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland contributed a total of £667,773.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to receive from the Sports Council statistics as to the number of sportsmen and women who failed drug tests in 1995. [19318]

Mr. Sproat

The Sports Council will be publishing a report on doping control activities from 1995–96 by early June.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list(a) the number of drug tests carried out on sportsmen and women, (b) the number of sportsmen and women who failed drug tests and (c) the drugs that those who failed the tests were found to be abusing in each year since 1979. [19313]

Mr. Sproat

Between 1988, when the Sports Council's doping control unit was set up, and April 1995, 26,869 tests have been carried out on sportsmen and women of many nationalities participating in sport in the United Kingdom or UK sportsmen and women training abroad. There have been 357 substances found, and 58 refusals to be tested. The number of reports to the governing bodies of sport for consideration as doping offences would be lower, as in some cases more than one substance has been detected in a sample. Action taken by various governing bodies is monitored by the Sports Council.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much extra money the Government have made available to the Sports Council to fulfil the pledges in "Sport: Raising the Game" to provide additional emphasis on educating young sportsmen and women about the dangers of drug abuse. [19315]

Mr. Sproat

Government grant-in-aid to the Sports Council is not earmarked for specific purposes. However in 1996–97, £80,000 will be made available for education and information programmes by the Sports Council under the doping control programme.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money the Government have spent on educating sportsmen and women on the dangers of drug abuse in each year since 1979. [19317]

Mr. Sproat

Between 1988, when the independent testing programme was established, and March 1995, £309,950 has been spent on education and information programmes.