HC Deb 18 January 2000 vol 342 cc383-4W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to provide support for the creation of running tracks in each district authority area. [105545]

Kate Hoey

The majority of Government money specifically allocated to sport and active recreation is channelled through Sport England, an independent body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport which, within an overall policy framework set by the Department, dispenses these funds according to its own detailed policies and priorities.

Sport England is also responsible for overseeing the Sports Lottery Fund. Last year, it published its Lottery Strategy document which sets out the broad strategic framework within which it will distribute Lottery money to sport over the next ten years.

Sport England's Lottery Community Projects capital fund will invest £115 million per year between 1999–2000, with £21 million earmarked for projects requiring under £100,000, and will inject a total investment of £1.115 billion over the next ten years to sports capital projects, which could include running tracks, making a significant contribution to the sporting life of communities.

Local authorities may apply for Sports Lottery Funding for specialist facilities, such as running tracks, with the support of the governing body, UK Athletics, through the National Athletics Facilities Strategy.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase the number of running tracks in Lancashire. [105546]

Kate Hoey

My right hon. Friend has no plans to increase the number of running tracks in Lancashire. The existing number of running tracks in Lancashire fully meets the requirements of Sport England's National Athletics Facilities Strategy, which was produced in partnership with the athletics governing body, UK Athletics.

However, we would both welcome any proposals for further investment in the sporting infrastructure in Lancashire to ensure that every community has access to as wide a range of facilities as possible, and that the opportunities to use them exist for everybody.