HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 cc161-2W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many women he estimates regularly play cricket in England. [51628]

Mr. Banks

[holding answer 21 July 1998]: According to the England and Wales Cricket Board, there were 3,600 women and nearly 500,000 school girls playing cricket throughout this country in 1997. The Government, through the English Sports Council, actively encourage all governing bodies of sport to have programmes in place which promote our policy of "sport for all" and increase participation levels in all sports, from grass roots through to elite competitors.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the possible locations for a national cricket centre of excellence; and what criteria will determine its location. [51627]

Mr. Banks

[holding answer 21 July 1998]: As part of the consultation process on the National Cricket Centre, the England and Wales Cricket Board is exploring a number of possible locations, including English Sports Council's National Sports Centre at Lilleshall.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the proposals for a national cricket centre of excellence. [51626]

Mr. Banks

[holding answer 21 July 1998]: The Management Board of the England and Wales Cricket Board has already supported the idea in principle that a National Cricket Centre should be established, and a project manager is soon to be appointed. This has to be considered in the context of a number of other developments in the game and wide consultation is still taking place to determine the best way forward.