MP to liase with Motorsport Industry

Labour MP Burden will be a parliamentary sports representative for motorsport and has been appointed by minister for sport Richard Caborn.

The pair travelled to Silverstone yesterday (Thursday) to inspect ongoing work on the Silverstone bypass. Following the traffic problems of last year, motorsport's governing body, the FIA, has insisted that sufficient roads are completed in time for the British GP on July 7.

Burden said: "The British Grand Prix has had its problems, and we must meet the challenge of getting it right this year. It annually attracts many thousands of spectators during the race weekend and pumps £28m into the local economy.

"After last year millions are being spent on road and other improvements around Silverstone which are set to be completed in advance of the 2002 Grand Prix date. Today's visit allowed the Minister [Caborn] to check that all is proceeding to schedule as well as seeing Silverstone's other exciting plans for future years."

Burden, who represents the Birmingham Northfield constituency, will also be responsible for improving communication between the government and the motorsport industry.

He added: "I'm delighted to be able to help improve communication between Government and Motorsport. There is a growing understanding of how important Motorsport is to Britain, not only as a sport but also to Britain's economy. It employs around 150,000 people who bring in a revenue of upto £150 billion every year."