§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will make a statement on UK Sport's inquiry into matters relating to the life ban on participation in athletics imposed on Mr. Paul Edwards; [51420]
(2) if she will have discussions with UK Athletics and King's college, London, on co-operation with UK Sport's inquiry into matters relating to the life ban on participation in athletics imposed on Mr. Paul Edwards. [51419]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 19 April 2002]: UK Sport is the lead agency for the Government's anti-doping programme. Its Chairman Sir Rodney Walker has met Mr. Paul Edwards and his advisers to hear his concerns regarding his life ban on participation in athletics. This resulted from a second positive drug test, which was the subject of an independent review of the evidence, a disciplinary hearing chaired by an independent QC and an appeal hearing also chaired by a QC. UK Sport are seeking further information and views from the parties concerned. It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in individual doping cases.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take measures to ensure that UK Sport has sufficient powers to conduct inquiries into previous rulings on the alleged use of performance-enhancing substances. [51418]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 19 April 2002]: UK Sport is the lead agency for the Government's anti-doping programme. The National Anti-Doping Policy, recently launched by UK Sport, sets out standardised procedures to ensure that governing bodies of sport have consistent, transparent and accountable anti-doping procedures. The National Anti-Doping Policy has clearly defined independent review, disciplinary and appeal processes built into it.