§ Dr. Richard TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the Interdepartmental Group on Sport has discussed the relationship of sport and health; and what conclusions were reached. [72235]
§ Mr. CabornThe Interdepartmental Group on sport which includes my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health, has discussed a wide range of issues related to sport policy, including the relationship of sport and health. It is agreed that the promotion of sport can play a valuable role in improving health across the population and we have been working closely with the Department of Health to ensure the co-ordination of sport and health policy.
§ Dr. Richard TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about progress achieved towards meeting the aim of significantly raising the time spent on sport and physical activity by five to 16-year-olds. [72234]
§ Mr. CabornWe have no data on overall progress as yet. The baseline was set by Sport England's Young People and Sport survey, last carried out in 1999. The survey will be repeated this year in June (with results available in December) and again in 2004. However, there are indicators of performance from individual programmes that suggest a positive trend overall. For example by September this year there will be 142 Specialist Sports Colleges supporting 742 SSCos and 3,576 Primary Link Teachers and 45 Sports Partnerships have been established to enable young people to participate in sport more frequently, improve their skills, and compete at various levels.