§ 14. Richard OttawayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards a London bid for the Olympic Games. [l13839]
§ Tessa JowellI set out in a statement to the House on 15 May the Government's decision to offer its wholehearted backing to a London bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
This follows a very thorough and detailed review of the likely costs involved and wider impacts of staging the games in 2012 as well as an examination of the potential benefits.
The challenge now remains to do all we can to support London in winning the nomination as host city for the 2012 Olympics.
§ 16. Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the supplementary charge on London council tax which will be necessary to fund a bid for the Olympic Games. [113841]
§ Tessa JowellWithin the £2.375 billion public funding package for a London 2012 Olympics, the Mayor of London has agreed to contribute up to £625 million towards staging the games through a council tax precept.
537WThe Mayor has indicated that for a Band D household the precept would be set at £20 a year or 38p a week. The precept would not come into effect until 2006–07 by when it will be known whether London has won the nomination for 2012.