Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) financial and (b) other assistance his Department is providing to support the hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2015; and if he will make a statement.

The DCMS has provided the Rugby Football Union with an underwrite of up to £25m of the tournament fee. The DCMS is also working with other Government Departments, Arm’s Length Bodies and England 2015, the tournament organisers, to deliver a series of guarantees in areas such as visas, customs, security and anti-doping. Additionally, the DCMS, Visit England and the FCO are supporting the William Webb Ellis Trophy International Tour and we will continue to support the domestic legs of the tour when it returns to the UK to mark 100 days to go.