§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what response he has made to the Football Task Force report, Investing in the Community. [71993]
§ Mr. BanksI fully support the practical recommendations made in the Task Force's report on football and the community. I have written today to the bodies identified in the report as having a role to play in implementing the relevant recommendations.
There are several recommendations which are for Government to consider. One is to assist with the 'Players in the Community Days' which the Task Force has recommended the Professional Footballers' Association consider. The Government will offer whatever assistance is needed with this scheme in the light of their response.
The other four recommendations relate to Government funding for football, in particular at the grass roots level. My Department is carefully considering the proposals made by the Task Force in this area, especially how they relate to the overall objectives of the Department in relation to sport as a whole. I will be consulting other Government Departments where necessary.
Football plays a significant part in the community life, and footballers can play a key role in supporting community schemes and setting standards of behaviour. The Government will offer whatever assistance they can to help in the development of football in the community and at the grass roots level.