Humfrey Malins

Conservative Party | Woking

Humfrey Malins questions the Olympics Minister on 2012 shooting venue

25 April 2009

Humfrey Malins has again questioned the Minister for Olympics, Tessa Jowell MP, concerning the venue of the 2012 shooting events.

Humfrey Malins (Woking, Conservative)
On the subject of shooting, we all know that one of the factors in choosing Woolwich was cost, so will the Minister today tell us the cost estimate for staging the shooting at Woolwich, and for staging it at Bisley?

Tessa Jowell (Minister of State (the Olympics and Paymaster General), Cabinet Office; Dulwich & West Norwood, Labour)
I will make both those figures available to the House—

Humfrey Malins (Woking, Conservative)
Today?

Tessa Jowell (Minister of State (the Olympics and Paymaster General), Cabinet Office; Dulwich & West Norwood, Labour)
No, not today; I shall do so once the negotiations, which are inevitably sensitive, are concluded. I know of the hon. Gentleman's great concerns about Bisley, and his advocacy for it. He will understand that there were two factors that led the Olympic Board to conclude that Woolwich should be the preferred venue for shooting. The first was on the grounds of cost, to which he referred. The second was certainty, the judgment being that, at this stage, Bisley simply involved too much risk, in terms of delivering an acceptable venue.

After the questions Humfrey said, "The Government are standing by the extraordinary decision to deny the home of shooting, Bisley, the chance to produce a memorable venue for the Olympics that could deliver a better legacy at a better cost. Let's hear the figures that they keep saying prove Woolwich to be a cheaper option, and let's hear at what cost the authorities at Bisley think the venue could be delivered for."