HC Deb 09 February 1999 vol 325 c131W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of competitive sport in the armed forces. [70122]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Participation in competitive sport within the Armed Forces has long been recognised as playing a very considerable part in Service life. In addition to being a key means of promoting physical fitness, team spirit and of great benefit to maintaining high levels of morale, sport within the Armed Forces contributes to military effectiveness by developing personal qualities such as motivation, courage, resilience, stamina and co-ordination.

Market research indicates that opportunities for competitive sport within the Services is high on the list of factors which attract many potential recruits to join the Armed Forces. It is my Department's firm policy to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle among personnel and to encourage fully the participation by members of the Armed Forces in structured sporting activities, together with adequate time to do so.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Wednesday afternoons are still set aside for competitive sport for armed forces personnel. [70128]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The Armed Forces have traditionally set aside Wednesday afternoons, on an informal basis, to give personnel the opportunity to partake in competitive and non-competitive sporting activity. This is still encouraged although the level of participation is very much dependent on operational requirements and training commitments within the various chains of Command, with whom the final decision rests. In some cases representative sports are played on other days of the week in order to reduce the effect of absence from primary duties.