§ Ms BlearsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase the number of people participating in sport in this country. [145173]
§ Mr. Chris SmithThe Government made a clear commitment to widen access to sporting opportunities in "A Sporting Future for All". Since its publication in April last year, we have announced a number of initiatives which will go a long way towards meeting this commitment. £750 million will be made available through the New Opportunities Fund for sport projects in, around and for schools; £130 million is being spent on multi-use facilities in primary schools; £120 million will provide a network of 1,000 School Sport Co-ordinators to improve physical education and sporting opportunities for schoolchildren and the local community.
Tomorrow, we will announce further steps which the Government will take to increase opportunities—not only as participant or competitor—to enjoy sport and the benefits it can bring.