Leisure Pursuits

House of Lords written question – answered at on 11 December 2001.

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Photo of Baroness Anelay of St Johns Baroness Anelay of St Johns Conservative

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has taken in response to the recommendations of the National Heart Forum that policy initiatives for adults and children should focus on increased participation in leisure pursuits such as walking or cycling.

Photo of Baroness Blackstone Baroness Blackstone Minister of State (the Arts), Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) (Arts)

The Government welcome the recommendations of the National Heart Forum (NHF). DCMS will explore these recommendations with other government departments with which it is working closely to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the Government's agenda to promote physical activity. These departments include the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

With regard to funding for cycling, the Millennium Commission has made a £43,500,000 lottery award to Sustrans for the national cycle network. In addition, the Lottery Community Sports Fund has so far made 12 awards to cycling projects worth a total of £1.45 million.

Walking has also benefited from the Lottery Sports Fund by around £- million, including awards to the following: the National Trust received £217,000 for the construction of 10.4 kilometres of footpath in the High Peak; the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority received £84,000 to construct a network of long distance paths in the Dales; and the North York Moors National Park Authority received £165,000 for the improvement of disabled access to the moors.

In addition, the English Tourism Council is currently looking at issues relating to tourism and health. The aim of this is to develop and publicise Xtoolkits" to advise the industry on new markets with potential, such as health tourism. This will be published in January 2002.

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