HC Deb 02 July 2001 vol 371 cc78-9W
Mr. Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library copies of the correspondence received by her Department from Sport England about the funding of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002. [1343]

Mr. Caborn

My Department regularly discusses issues of sports policy with Sport England and these discussions—including exchanges of correspondence—are carried out on the understanding that they are in confidence and will not be divulged.

Mr. Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what advice she has received about the proposed funding of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester; [1341]

(2) what estimate she has made of the adequacy of funding arrangements for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester; [1340]

(3) what representations she has received from Manchester 2002 Ltd. and Manchester City Council about the funding of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. [1342]

Mr. Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement about the 2002 Commonwealth Games. [2198]

Tessa Jowell

The Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 will be the biggest multi-sport event ever held in the United Kingdom. They will leave a lasting sporting, economic and social legacy.

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office explained, in evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 20 March 2001, that Manchester City Council, with the Government, had arranged a review of the finances and organisation of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year as a build up to the Games moves from the planning to the implementation phase.

Following the review, conscious of the benefits the Games will bring to the nation as a whole, the Government have agreed to provide from existing resources up to £30 million to support the Games. Sport England has agreed to provide up to £30 million to support the Games' costs in addition to its existing contribution to capital facilities, and Manchester City Council will make available a further £35 million. £25 million of these funds will be held jointly by the three parties as a contingency fund. This support is additional to the £10.5 million which the Government have already made available towards the costs of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games, and marks the full extent of the financial support that the Government are prepared to make available.

The Government consider that this package should give the Games' organisation sufficient certainty to deliver the Games. Manchester City Council continues to retain ultimate financial responsibility for the Games.

Discussions continue about the make up and timing of the package of financial support. The Government, Manchester City Council and Sport England will working with the Games' organisers so strengthen the management arrangements for the control of expenditure.