§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the status of the Safe Sports Grounds funding made available for essential health and safety work to stadia in Northern Ireland; and how much funding has been made available(a) in each of the past three years and (b) since January for this purpose. [170249]
§ Angela SmithThe Interim Safe Sports Grounds Scheme ended in March 2003 and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland is currently planning development of a new Sports Grounds Development Programme, the main purpose of which is to address the long-term health and safety deficiencies of major sports grounds in488W Northern Ireland. Government funding made available for the health and safety work to Northern Ireland stadia in each of the last three financial years.
£ million Financial year Amount made available 2001–02 0.5 2002–03 1 2003–04 Nil