To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to support deaf people who participate in sport, with particular reference to enabling deaf athletes to attend the Deaflympic Summer Games in Taiwan in 2009; and if he will make a statement. (224375)

[holding answer 6 October 2008]: We are absolutely committed to equality in sport, and the new Sport England strategy aims to develop a world-leading community sport system, which will increase participation from all groups in society.

UK Deaf Sport, like other disability sport organisations, does not receive core funding from Sport England or UK Sport. However, I know that UK Deaf Sport have already made good progress in raising funds to send a team to Taiwan next year, and I hope they will be able to replicate, or better, their successful performance in Melbourne in 2005.