To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government spent on sport in (a) 1978–79 and (b) 1996–97 in current prices. [10824]

[holding answer 28 July 1997]: In 1978–79, central Government expenditure on sport to the Great Britain Sports Council was £15.2 million. In 1996–97, total central Government expenditure on sport was £51.61 million. Of this, £46.55 million was allocated to the Great Britain Sports Council and its successors from 1 January 1997, the UK and English Sports Councils.Also in 1996–97, £264.78 million was awarded by the English Sports Council to 1,005 sports-related projects from the lottery sports fund.