§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations she has received from the governing bodies of(a) Welsh and (b) Scottish Rugby Union in respect of the English Rugby Football Union's bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2007; [86930]
(2) if she will make a statement on the English Rugby Football Union's bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2007; [86926]
(3) what assessment her Department has made of the likely (a) economic benefit to the United Kingdom and (b) benefit to amateur rugby of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2007. [86928]
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§ Mr. CabornThis Department fully supports the English Rugby Union's very strong bid for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The RFU has already demonstrated its ability to host major events by providing first class facilities, organization and hospitality as co-host of the 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cups.
To date this Department has not received any representations from the Welsh and Scottish Rugby Unions in respect of the bid.
It is anticipated that the UK would benefit from the additional tourism that this event would bring. The Rugby Football Union has commissioned an independent assessment of the potential economic impact of the 2007 Rugby World Cup from Bone Wells Associates. The assessment estimates that the tournament would bring approximately 175,400 visitors to the UK, spending approximately £100 per day over an average of 14 days. Hosting a major sporting event of this size would also provide UK companies with a number of opportunities for commercial sponsorship and investment. The Rugby Union is working on its own assessment of the economic impact of the 2007 World Cup and should make the results available after the final bids have been submitted on 15 January 2003.
The Rugby Football Union's bid document predicts that the 2007 Rugby World Cup will generate substantially enhanced income streams for investment in the development of grass roots rugby.