§ 15. Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the progress on the non-sport programme for the Commonwealth games in 2002. [148783]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThere are two key non-sporting initiatives associated with the Manchester 2002 Games—the Volunteer Programme and the nationwide Spirit of Friendship Festival. Good progress is being made on both.
187WThe Spirit of Friendship Festival has appointed a national director, Jo Hartley, to work with all relevant agencies to deliver a successful nationwide festival of education, sport and culture.
The Festival will embrace the modem Commonwealth's values of fairness and inclusivity and engage the nation from its start on Commonwealth Day, 11 March 2002, until 10 August 2002.
The volunteer programme is also well under way with plans for the recruitment of 15,000 volunteers in place and recruitment generally beginning in May.