§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning London's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games; and what measures she has taken to promote Northern Ireland as a host region for games events. [120888]
§ Mr. CabornMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has held no separate discussions with her right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding London's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. The decision to bid for the Games and related matters was discussed by the Cabinet, of which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is a member.
A Bid Company for London 2012, established by the stakeholders, the Government, the Mayor of London and the BOA, will prepare the technical bid for the IOC. They will have the responsibility for identifying proposed venues for Games. Should London be selected as the host city for the 2012 Games there will be opportunities to spread the benefits around the UK, for example through providing training camps for teams from visiting nations, the cultural programme and staging the Olympic football competition.