HC Deb 22 February 1999 vol 326 cc49-50W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to develop facilities for(a) cricket and (b) football within Herefordshire; and if he will make a statement. [71156]

Mr. Banks

[holding answer 15 February 1999]The English Sports Council (ESC) is working closely with the governing bodies of sport and others to identify ways in which to promote cricket and football in Herefordshire.

Facility provision for cricket in Herefordshire will be included in the ESC/England and Wales Cricket Board facilities joint strategy which is to be published in the spring. Among potential projects are a new County Ground and specialist indoor cricket centre.

The South West Region of the Football Association has recently drawn up a facilities strategy for football in Herefordshire, which examined the requirements for football from professional down to local club level. The FA will use the strategy as part of its overall measures to promote football in the County.

There have been two awards to cricket and three to football in Herefordshire from the lottery sports fund, totalling £2,600,000.