Written question asked by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Monday, 15 October 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 October 2001. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 October 2001 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many unannounced tests taken on premises not owned by a professional football club have been undertaken in each of the last five years. - Inc table.

Answer: Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many unannounced tests taken on premises not owned by a professional football club have been undertaken in each of the last five years. [8258] Mr. Caborn: All tests for sports in the UK are unannounced tests, that are collected at short or no-notice to the individual athlete, whether collected in competition or out of competition. For team sports such as football, testing is arranged by collecting samples at squad training sessions or after a match which ensures that players are subject to the same procedures as they would be for an out of competition test. Testing will always take place on football premises, whether a club ground, training venue, or academy. Because of the ease of access to football players it has not been necessary to instigate testing at players' homes. Number of tests _________________________________________________________________________________________________. In competition Out of competition 1996-97 63 415 1997-98 57 460 1998-99 69 470 1999-2000 133 928 2000-01 97 919 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information