To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what central Government funding for leisure facilities for persons aged between 16 and 21 years was (a) in total and (b) per capita in (i) Cornwall, (ii) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall and (iii) England in each year since 1979. (166709)

The Government do not collect specific information on local funding for leisure facilities as responsibility rests with local authorities.

However, Government are committed to investing in facilities “Aiming high for young people; a ten year strategy for positive activities”, which was published in July 2006, announced the launch of a new programme of capital investment based on the reinvestment of unclaimed assets from dormant bank accounts and £60 million of new DCSF funding. Our ambition is that this will lead to new and improved youth facilities in every constituency over the next 10 years.

The “Children’s Plan” subsequently announced a further £160 million of DCSF investment over the next two years to support this ambition.

We expect local authorities and the third and private sector to forge genuine partnership to deliver world class facilities driven by the active participation of young people.