HC Deb 04 July 2000 vol 353 cc152-3W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the FA, the Premier League and Sport England regarding his continued support for the bid to host the World Cup in 2006; and if he will make a statement. [128799]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 3 July 2000]: I have discussed the bid for the 2006 World Cup with the Football Association and with the Prime Minister's Special Envoy over the last week. Despite recent events at the European Football Championships, the bid will not be withdrawn. The Government agree with the FA that the England bid is of the highest technical quality, and will continue to offer its full support.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects accounts of England 2006 to be published; and if he will make a statement. [128800]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 3 July 2000]: The 2006 World Cup bid is a bid by the Football Association. Reference to the costs of the bid are made in the FA's accounts for the years ended 31 December 1998 and 1999, and are expected to appear in the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000. Any decision to publish full accounts for the bid is for the FA to make.

Sport England allocated £3 million towards the cost of the bid, which is expected to total an estimated £9 million by the time that the FIFA Executive Council announces its decision on 7 July. Although it is not a Lottery condition to require published accounts, Sport England closely monitors how the Lottery grant is spent.