HC Deb 12 April 2000 vol 348 cc157-8W
Mr. Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost of developing an athletics facility to host the 2005 World Athletics Championships at Picketts Lock, Enfield. [118116]

Kate Hoey

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: My Department has made no estimate of such costs. UK Athletics and Sport England have submitted a range of costs for differing proposals for constructing a stadium and are now discussing the optimum solution for the Picketts Lock site.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what proportion of the estimated cost of the development of the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock he expects to come from public funds; [118417]

(2) what his policy is on public support for the management and running costs of the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock; and if he will make a statement. [118421]

Kate Hoey

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: The extent of public funding or support for any stadium at Picketts Lock has yet to be determined as UK Athletics have yet to develop a detailed proposal for the site.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if it is his policy that all seats at the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock should have a minimum width of 500 mm and a minimum seating row depth of 760 mm; and if he will make a statement; [118423]

(2) what his estimate is of the cost of increasing the capacity at the planned national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock to 80,000 in the event of a successful London Olympic bid; [118422]

(3) if it is his policy that all seats at the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock should have a 'c' value of at least 60 mm based on a focal point on the outside edge of the outside lane around the bends; and if he will make a statement. [118420]

Kate Hoey

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: UK Athletics is to be congratulated on securing the 2005 World Athletics Championships for London following its selection of Picketts Lock as its preferred stadium site. UK Athletics is now starting the process of drawing up detailed proposals for developing the site. The design of the stadium, its cost, funding and long term usage are matters for UK Athletics to determine in consultation, as necessary, with Sport England.