§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings(a) she, (b) her Ministers and (c) officials have held with representatives of the Amateur Rowing Association since August 2003 to discuss the World Rowing Championships 2006; and if she will make a statement. [160887]
§ Mr. CabornI met Di Ellis, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA), Michael Baldwin Chairman of the Organising Committee of the World Cup Regatta 2005 and the World Rowing Championships 2006, and John Scott of UK Sport on 1 December 2003 to discuss the facilities at Dorney Lake which will host both Championships.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will shortly be convening a meeting of the ARA, the Championships Organising Committee, Sport England and UK Sport to further discuss the best way forward to ensure that the Dorney Lake course is brought to the required standard for World and Olympic rowing events.
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§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether Dorney Lake will be the venue for(a) the World Cup Regatta 2005 and (b) the World Rowing Championships in May 2006. [160888]
§ Mr. CabornThe Dorney Lake rowing course has been selected to be the venue for both the World Cup Regatta 2005 and the World Rowing Championships 2006.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in what year the UK was last awarded the World Rowing Championships; and if she will make a statement. [160889]
§ Mr. CabornThe World Rowing Championships were last held in the UK in 1986 when Nottingham was the host city.
The Government are pleased that the UK has been awarded the 2006 Championships and hopes that all interested parties will continue to work together in preparation for this event to ensure that it is an unqualified success.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many members of the International Olympic Committee(a) are also members of Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron and (b) are expected to attend the 2005 World Cup Regatta. [160890]
§ Mr. CabornThere are four members of the International Olympic Committee who are also members of the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d"Aviron (FISA).
Invitations to the regatta are a matter for the Amateur Rowing Association and FISA.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what further funding is required to complete the Dorney Lake rowing course to the standard required for World and Olympic events; and if she will make a statement. [160891]
§ Mr. CabornThe Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) has made a detailed analysis of the costs needed to complete the Dorney Lake rowing course to the standard required for World and Olympic Events. In addition to the funding already in place, the ARA have estimated that a further £1,112,000 would be needed.
The Department will continue to work closely with the ARA and other interested parties to consider what further steps should be taken to help bring the Dorney Lake facilities to the required standard.