§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the English Sports Council has received in grant-in-aid for 1997–98; how much money was awarded to women's governing bodies of sport in 1997–98; and how much money was provided at (i) national and (ii) regional level for projects exclusively or primarily concerned with the development of women's sport. [51779]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: The English Sports Council (ESC) received £33.725 million grant in aid in 1997–98. Of this: (i) nationally, £541,000 was awarded to women's governing bodies and £35,000 to the Women's Sport Foundation to help women in sport; and (ii) £10,000 was awarded to various women's sporting projects in the regions.
All governing bodies in receipt of funding must demonstrate that they have policies offering equal opportunities for women; the sums identified do not, of course indicate the total expenditure benefiting women in all sports.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made towards increasing the involvement of women in traditionally male-dominated sports at(a) participant, (b) competitor, (c) coach and (d) administrator levels. [51781]
163W
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: The English Sports Council (ESC) is working closely with the governing bodies of football, rugby union, rugby league and cricket to increase the involvement of women in all areas of these sports.
The Council awards grant in aid funding to sports governing bodies to promote and develop women's involvement and examine ways to increase participation. Governing bodies are required to draw up an appropriate action plan as a condition of this funding.
The ESC held a conference in November last year with governing bodies in those sports specifically to examine this area closely. A follow-up conference will be held in January to monitor progress.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he is taking to promote the public profile of professional women athletes. [51783]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: The Government are determined to raise the profile of all women athletes.
The Sporting Ambassadors initiative will include top sportswomen to act as role models for young people. By doing so, the initiative will raise the profile of women athletes generally and encourage more women and girls to take part in sport.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I are determined to increase the proportion of women appointed to Department-sponsored bodies, including the United Kingdom Sports Council and the English Sports Council. High-profile appointments such as this should also help raise the overall public profile of sportswomen.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the subject of promoting the health benefits of sport to females of all ages; and what action has subsequently been taken. [51785]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no direct discussions with the Secretary of State for Health on this particular issue. However, there is contact between officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the English Sports Council (ESC) and the Department of Health about issues relating to the Health benefits of sport to women and men alike.
In considering the development of healthy living centres outlined in the National Lottery Act 1998, Ministers were mindful of the possible role sport can play in promoting the health of women. The draft policy directions for the New Opportunities Fund, currently out for consultation, make specific reference to the need to ensure that projects for healthy living centres cover a wide range of facilities, including sporting activities.
The ESC will be piloting a project addressing health and physiological issues for young girls starting in October.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Under Secretary of State for Women on the subject of women and sport; and what action has subsequently been taken. [51787]
164W
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no direct discussions with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on this particular issue. However, there is contact between officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Women's Unit on a range of issues relating to women and sport. As a result, we, together with the English Sports Council, are examining ways to raise the profile of women in sport in a number of areas.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many meetings(a) he and (b) the Minister for Sport have had with women's sport groups since 1 May 1997. [51788]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer Thursday 23 July 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no discussions specifically with women's sport groups; I have had one such meeting. However, we both have regular discussions with people involved in sport, including sportswomen, where issues relating to women in sport are raised.
Also, the English Sports Council is in continual dialogue with women's sports groups at all levels. The Council reports to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and me on this and a range of other sports-related matters.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he is taking to ensure that the objectives of the 1994 Brighton Declaration on women in sport are being met. [51784]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: I was delighted to announce on 19 May 1998, Official Report, column 309 that the Government had adopted the Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport. We shall abide fully with the aims and principles set out in the declaration.
The English Sports Council and United Kingdom Sports Council have already adopted the declaration and ensure that their policies reflect the declaration's aims.
The Government will be guided by the aims of the declaration in developing their sports policies and in their work with the Sports Councils and other sporting organisations.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage more women to take part in sport; and what funding is available to encourage women's participation in sport at each level. [51782]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I work closely with the English Sports Council (ESC) to ensure it has policies aimed at encouraging more women into sport and raising participation levels.
The ESC has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at encouraging more women into sport and provides funding to women's sports governing bodies, including through the Lottery Sports Fund. The Council also promotes good practice through demonstration projects, advice and guidance notes and action plans.
165WThe ESC' s Womens Advisory Group examines issues relating to women in sport and gives advice to the Council to ensure that its policies offer equal opportunities for women.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on the subject of increasing sporting opportunities for girls in schools; and what action has subsequently been taken. [51786]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: My department works closely with the Department for Education and Employment to promote sport in schools for all young people.
I am currently undertaking a number of meetings on the subject of encouraging greater involvement of women and girls in sport.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what specific plans have been made to cater for the needs of women in sport within the UK Sports Institute. [51778]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 23 July 1998]: The development of the UK Sports Institute will ensure that any appropriate requirement for top women athletes are taken into account. The Headquarters project is shortly to enter its design phase when these matters will be fully considered.