§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment Sport England has made of the proposals for the English National Stadium at Wembley put forward by Wembley National Stadium Ltd. regarding the proposals' compliance with the Lottery Funding Agreement concluded between them. [104335]
§ Kate Hoey[holding answer 10 January 2000]: While Sport England were satisfied that Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL) and the Football Association had complied with the technical requirements of the Lottery Funding Agreement, the solution for athletics was not ideal. The DLA Ellerbe Beckett report raised serious concerns about the proposed solution for athletics in terms of the practicality and cost. Further discussions between my Department and all interested parties concluded that athletics should be removed from Wembley.
Sport England, the Football Association and WNSL are currently considering whether amendments are necessary to the existing Lottery Funding Agreement to reflect Wembley's new role as the centrepiece for football and rugby league in England. In the light of the prospective agreement, the Football Association has proposed that £20 million be returned to Sport England.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions his Department has had with Sport England over the handling of the money agreed to be refunded by the developers of Wembley Stadium; and if these funds will be held separately; [105348]
(2) if Sport England has received any funds due to be returned to his Department in respect of failure by the developers of Wembley Stadium to provide adequate athletics provision; [105347]
(3) how much of the money due to be repaid to Sport England has been received to date from the developers of Wembley Stadium; [105349]
(4) on what date Sport England expects full payment of the money agreed to be refunded by the developers of Wembley Stadium. [105350]
§ Kate HoeyAs signatories to the Lottery Funding Agreement, it is for Sport England, the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. to agree 383W the details in respect of the proposal to return £20 million of the Lottery award. Discussions are currently ongoing and a further announcement will be made in due course.