asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average delay between the receipt of an application for grant for sport and the determination as to whether to make a grant or not, particularly in relation to applications for grants to enable angling clubs to purchase fishing rights.

Applicants are normally advised within three months whether an offer of grant can be made. The Department is prepared to deal specially with cases such as those involving the purchase of fishing rights where delay might mean a loss of facilities.