To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what occasions (a) he or his predecessor, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) representatives of his Department met the Football Association to discuss an English bid for the 2018 World Cup (i) before the feasibility study by the Treasury and his Department into holding the World Cup in England began, (ii) while the study was in progress; and what such meetings have taken place since the study was completed. (148964)

Bidding to host a future World Cup is not a decision for Government but for the relevant football authorities. Ministers and representatives of this Department have not met with the Football Association (FA) to discuss an English bid for the 2018 World Cup. However, representatives of HM Treasury, this Department and the FA met on a number of occasions during the feasibility study to consult and discuss emerging issues. Since publication of the report my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) in his capacity as the Prime Minister's World Cup ambassador, has met the FA on a number of occasions to discuss circumstances relating to a potential FA bid for the World Cup.