Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Knight Excerpts

Thursday 16th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Helen Whately]

This questioning from the SNP feels slightly repetitive. I think that the United States can speak for itself on its policy towards heritage sites. As I have said, and as the Foreign Secretary has been very clear, we expect the international conventions to be adhered to.

[Julian Knight (Solihull) (Con)]

6. What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the 2022 Commonwealth games deliver benefits throughout the west midlands.

[Marco Longhi (Dudley North) (Con)]

13. What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the 2022 Commonwealth games deliver benefits throughout the west midlands.

[The Minister for Sport, Media and Creative Industries (Nigel Adams)]

Birmingham ’22 will be the biggest sporting event ever held in the west midlands, with the region set to benefit from £778 million of public investment, and with venues spanning the whole region, from Cannock Chase in the north to Coventry and Leamington Spa in the south. With a cultural programme running alongside the games, there will be an opportunity for everyone in the west midlands to get involved.

[Julian Knight]

The Minister has proven a doughty champion for the Birmingham Commonwealth games. Will he take up his not inconsiderable cudgels once again and ask the Chancellor to provide the money requested by our regional Mayor, Andy Street, to fund the trade, tourism and investment programme to herald the start of these magnificent games?

[Nigel Adams]

I certainly will, and may I say that no one has done more than my hon. Friend to ensure that women’s T20 cricket is included in the roster of sports for the games, which is very important? Birmingham 2022 offers fantastic opportunities beyond sport, and the Government are particularly keen to maximise those opportunities. The evidence from previous games demonstrates the positive economic impact that such events can have. The Glasgow 2014 games, for example, contributed more than £740 million to the Scottish economy.