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Local Government Finance

Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional financial resources he has allocated to councils to meet changes in their obligations in 1996-97 and 1997-98. [12763]

Mr. Kynoch [holding answer 28 January 1997]: The amounts included in the 1996-97 and 1997-98 local government finance settlements in respect of new financial burdens on local authorities are as follows:

1996-97: £178.354 million
1997-98: £61.177 million

In both cases, the figures are net of the minimum level of savings which the Government assume will be achieved from local government reorganisation.

Woodlands

Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to promote the development of natural woodlands. [12584]

Mr. Kynoch [holding answer 3 February 1997]: The protection and enhancement of our ancient and semi-natural woodlands is a key aim of our forestry policy. We are committed to the steady expansion of tree cover, using native species and natural regeneration where appropriate, with the support of the woodland grant scheme and the farm woodland premium scheme. We have also recently introduced woodland improvement grants and challenge funds for forestry projects to help further achieve these aims and significant funds have been provided by the Millennium Commission for a range of native woodland projects through the country. In addition, schemes in the Government's agri-environment programme such as the environmentally sensitive area scheme and the countryside stewardship and proposed countryside premium schemes, provide payments to farmers to manage native woodlands and for planting of native species.

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NATIONAL HERITAGE

Arts Forum

Mr. Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if she will publish a list of members of the Arts Forum; [12319]

(2) with what frequency she intends her Arts Forum to meet; and what is its remit. [12320]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley: Following the publication in July of my Department's policy document "Setting the Scene: The Arts and Young People", I announced on 14 October 1996 the establishment of a new Arts Forum, to be a joint forum with the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. It is intended that the forum should meet roughly four times per year. Membership if the forum is not fixed, and varies according to the subject under discussion. The first meeting of the forum, on 7 November 1996, considered its terms of reference and adopted the following:

"The terms of reference for the forum will be:
to highlight issues which impact on the future of the arts, to stimulate and broaden the debate;
to suggest strategies which can best sustain the arts economy;
to advise on and help the process of government policy making;
in particular to consider, advise on and where appropriate assist with implementation of the recommendations arising from the Department of National Heritage's policy document "Setting the Scene";
to bring together and make connections between organisations and individuals involved in the arts, and other sectors with an interest in them."

National Lottery

Mr. Macdonald: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to reply to the letter dated 6 August 1996 from the hon. Member for Western Isles regarding Government policy on lottery funding. [12186]

Mr. Sproat: I apologise that, due to an administrative error, the hon. Member has not received a reply to his letter. A reply has been sent to the hon. Member today answering his points in full.

Sports Council

Mr. Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the restructuring of the Sports Council. [14381]

Mr. Sproat: Further to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) on 18 December 1996 Official Report, column 590, I am pleased to inform the House that the United Kingdom Sports Council and the English Sports Council became fully operational as independent bodies from 1 January 1997.

On 31 December 1996, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage issued directions to the United Kingdom Sports Council and to the English Sports Council requiring them to accept responsibility for the assets, liabilities and undertaking of the Great Britain Sports Council. At a joint meeting on 6 January 1997 of the Great Britain Sports Council, the United Kingdom Sports Council and the English Sports Council, and at

4 Feb 1997 : Column: 584

separate meetings of the UK and the English Sports Councils held on the same day, formal agreement was made to the aforesaid transfer. The United Kingdom Sports Council

The United Kingdom Sports Council is responsible for fostering, supporting, and encouraging the development of sport and physical recreation and the achievement of excellence and the provision of sporting facilities at a UK level. The focus of the United Kingdom Sports Council will reflect the policies "Sport: Raising the Game". It will take a lead among the sports councils in all aspects of sport and physical recreation that require strategic planning, administration, co-ordination or representation for the benefit of the UK as a whole. Within the objects and powers provided by its royal charter, the UK Sports Council's functions are:

To identify sporting policies that should have a UK-wide application; to identify areas of unnecessary duplication, overlap and waste in the way sport is administered in the UK; to consider with the Sports Councils of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland how grant programmes for sports bodies with a UK or Great Britain remit could best be administered, and to administer those programmes; to oversee policy on sports science, sports medicine, drug control, and coaching and other areas where there may be a need for the home country sports councils to deliver a consistent UK-wide policy; to co-ordinate policy for bringing major international sporting events to the UK; and to represent the UK internationally and to increase the influence of the UK at international level.

The members of the United Kingdom Sports Council are:

Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, DL, Chairman (Chairman of Tesco plc, Chairman of the Test and County Cricket board)
Sir Rodney Walker (Chairman of the English Sports Council, Chairman of the Rugby Football League)
Mr. Graeme Simmers, OBE, CA (Chairman of the Scottish Sports Council, former Chairman of the Scottish Highlands Hotels Group)
Mr. Ossie Wheatley, CBE (Chairman of the Sports Council for Wales, former Chairman of Glamorgan County Cricket Club)
Mr. Don Allen (Chairman of the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, former Irish League footballer).
Dr. Mary Nevill Lecturer in Sports Science, Loughborough University, former world-class hockey player and international coach)
Mr. Craig Reedie (Chairman of the British Olympic Association, International Olympic Committee member)
Prof. Sarah Springman (Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, former world-class triathlete)

There are, at present, two vacancies on the council, following the resignations of Mr. Rob Andrew and Mr. Clive Lloyd due to pressures of business. Candidates have been considered in line with the procedures recommended by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Completion of the consultation with the Chairman of the UK Sports Council and the home country Secretaries of State is nearing completion and an announcement will be made shortly about who the new appointments will be. The English Sports Council

The English Sports Council has similar responsibilities to those of the Sports Councils in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is responsible for fostering, supporting and encouraging the development of sport and physical recreation among the public at large, and the

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achievement of excellence in England, and for the provision of facilities. It will take a lead in all aspects of sport and physical recreation that require administration, co-ordination or representation from the public sector in England.

The focus of the English Sports Council will reflect the policies in "Sport: Raising the Game", concentrating on support to the governing bodies of sport, in-so-far as they are concerned with the administration and development of sport in England; help the grassroots of sport; services in support of sporting excellence in England; and the national lottery. Within the objects and powers provided by its royal charter, the English Sports Council will aim:

To provide opportunities for all young people to become involved in sport and physical recreation and to realise their full potential, particularly through sport in schools; to ensure that a framework exists to help those with talent, commitment and interest to realise their performance potential within their chosen sports; to advise and support the effective planning, design and management of facilities and services where they are of direct relevance to sport for young people and the development of excellence; and--to raise the expertise of people who encourage sports participation and improve sporting performance.

The English Sports Council also becomes responsible from 1 January 1997 for the distribution in England of lottery proceeds for expenditure on or connected with sport.

The members of the English Sports Council are:

Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman (Chairman of the English Sports Council, Chairman of the Rugby Football League)
Mr. Trevor Brooking, MBE, Vice-Chairman (Football broadcaster, former professional footballer)
Mr. Gerald Dennis, Vice-Chairman (Part-time Chairman of Alexandra Workwear and Domino Printing Sciences)
Mr. Peter Blake (Headmaster of Windsor boys' school, school rugby and cricket coach)
Mr. Chris Boardman, MBE (World class professional cyclist)
Ms Julia Bracewell (Former international fencer, qualified referee and barrister)
Mr. Tim Marshall, MBE (Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Epidemiology, Birmingham University, involved with wheelchair roadracing)
Mr. Keith Oates (Deputy Chairman of Marks and Spencer plc)
Mr. Jeff Probyn (England international Rugby Union footballer)
Mr. Geoff Thompson, MBE (Chairman of the Youth Charter for Sport, former world-class karate player)
Mrs. Phyllis Avery (President of the South Region Netball Association, netball coach, umpire and former England selector and trialist)
Mr. Jim Munn, MBE (former Director of Recreation and Community Services, Birmingham city council)
Mr. David Oxley, OBE (former Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League and teacher)
Mr. Sam Stoker (Principal St. Cuthbert's Society and Schools/Access Liaison Officer for the University of Durham)

There is, at present, one vacancy on the council, following the resignation of Mr. Ian Botham due to pressure of business. Replacement names are being considered in line with the procedures recommended by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. An announcement will be made soon about who the new appointment is to be.

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The Great Britain Sports Council

The Great Britain Sports Council will continue to exist as a body corporate under the terms of its 1972 royal charter for the immediate future. This will enable the council to handle any residual matters arising.

The former membership of the Great Britain Sports Council is continuing for the interim. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, in consultation with the chairman and members of the Sports Council, will wish to review in due course the practicality of this arrangement.

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