To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department had with (a) local authorities, (b) the Local Government Association and (c) the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers' Association before his announcement of free swimming for the over 60s. (223382)

[holding answer 10 September 2008]: I have been asked to reply.

Before my statement to the House of 17 July in which I set out the details of the Government's free swimming programme, my Department held several discussions with representatives of local authorities, of the Local Government Association and of the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers' Association.