HC Deb 11 July 2002 vol 388 c1192W
Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the role hockey will play in the plans to invest in school sports recently announced by the Prime Minister. [68111]

Mr. Caborn

Hockey, together with other sports played in schools and clubs, will benefit from initiatives to improve access to, and the quality of, PE, school sport and club links for five to 16-year-olds. These initiatives include: expanding the specialist sport college network and school sport co-ordinator programme; "Step into Sport", a leadership and volunteering programme and investment in school sport facilities with an element of community use. Sports clubs will be helped to develop stronger links with local schools and to attract more children and young people as members and volunteers.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many new astroturf hockey pitches have been opened in each of the last five years; [68113]

(2) how many (a) water based astroturf hockey pitches and (b) sand based astroturf hockey pitches there are in England. [68112]

Mr. Caborn

We have contacted Sport England to request the information required, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.