Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the organisers of the Commonwealth Games about drug testing at the Games; and if she will make a statement. [43492]
§ Mr. CabornWe continue to work with the Commonwealth Games Federation (who have formal responsibility for the development of the drug testing regime for the Commonwealth Games) as well as Games' organisers, Manchester 2002 Ltd., and UK Sport to ensure that a robust and reliable regime is in place for the Games; and which is consistent with internationally accepted standards of anti-doping
Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans United Kingdom Sport has to conduct(a) blood and (b) urine tests at the Commonwealth Games; and if she will make a statement. [43493]
§ Mr. CabornWe are committed to ensuring that a rigorous testing programme is in place for the Games and with the other Games funders have ensured that adequate funds are made available to the Games to allow for a full testing programme.
We understand that the tests, which will be carried out for the Games by UK Sport on behalf of the Games organisers, Manchester 2002 Ltd. and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), may include both blood and urine tests. A decision on testing for EPO (Erythropoietin) using blood sampling is awaited from the CGF and will need to take account of any improvements identified by the International Olympic Committee from the protocols for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. The final decision on the number and type of drug tests rests with the CGF.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what efforts have been made to use this summer's Commonwealth Games as a vehicle to promote inbound tourism. [43206]
§ Mr. CabornThe Commonwealth Games form a key part of the British Tourist Authority's (BTA) overseas marketing strategy.
Examples of promotion include a BTA stall at the Edmonton Games last year, a Commonwealth Games colour supplement for inclusion in marketing brochures and a special Commonwealth Games pack. BTA offices 42W in both Canada and Australia have recently taken groups of journalists to Manchester to see preparations for the Games.
BTA is a member of the Regional Tourism Marketing Working Group created to maximise the tourism opportunities created by the Games and has seconded a marketing expert to Manchester.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the tickets for this summer's Commonwealth Games have now been sold. [43205]
§ Mr. CabornMore than 460,000 tickets have been sold here in the UK—this equates to 60 per cent. of the available tickets. A further 110,000 tickets have also been sold to Commonwealth Games Associations and other bodies.