HC Deb 20 March 2000 vol 346 cc420-1W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in locating a site for a new national athletics stadium. [114908]

Kate Hoey

Sport England has submitted an analysis of the cost and design issues related to the brief for an athletics venue proposed by UK Athletics, along with an evaluation of a number of potential sites in London against criteria discussed and agreed between my Department, the Government Office for London, UK Sport, UK Athletics, the 2005 World Athletics Championships Bid Team and the British Olympic Association. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and I chaired a meeting of all interested parties on Wednesday 15 March to consider these papers at which it was agreed that my Department will co-ordinate further detailed work on a short-list of sites and a further announcement will be made shortly.