Topical Questions

Question: Paulsgrove in my constituency is an area of high deprivation with no local swimming pool. Under the Building Schools for the Future programme, a learning campus is being built and the local community would very much like a swimming pool to be part of that development. What can we do to ensure that local authorities work with other partners, use all the means at their disposal and take up all opportunities to encourage swimming in deprived areas such as Paulsgrove?

Answer: I would be very willing to meet my hon. Friend to discuss those issues in order to see how we might be able to help take further forward the discussions in her area. Only on Friday, I opened the Leigh indoor sports centre. It is part of the £80-million Leigh sports village, which, frankly, is my pride and joy. It is a scheme that will, in a deprived part of the country like my hon. Friend's, give people access to the highest quality sports facilities. I could not be more proud of anything I have ever achieved than I am of that. If she is seeking to do something similar in her constituency, she will have my full support.

Secondary information