WOMEN AND SPORT

Early day motion 252, tabled 10 December 2003 by Vera Baird (Labour). Signed by 68 members.

That this House notes with concern that only five per cent. of all sports coverage in the media is about sportswomen, even though it is clear that there is a key role to be played by the media in raising the public profile of women's sport, highlighting role models and encouraging participation; welcomes the efforts of the Women's Sports Foundation, in its 'Campaign for Coverage', in raising this issue; and calls on the Government to ensure, at this important time for public service broadcasting and as concerns increase about obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, that the media are aware of the reasons for increasing both the quantity and quality of their reporting of women's sport.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour/Co-operative 7, Conservative 3, UUP 2, DUP 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1.