HC Deb 28 July 1966 vol 732 c1884
34. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what additional grants will be made to sporting clubs and organisations in order to offset the impact of the Selective Employment Tax.

Mr. Denis Howell

Where sports bodies receive grant towards their administration costs my right hon. Friend will be prepared to treat the cost of the tax as a cost increase to the extent that effect of the tax cannot be offset by staff economies.

Mr. Goodhart

Does the Minister appreciate that the Treasury estimates that this tax will take £500,000 a year from amateur sport alone? Does he realise that this will be a very heavy burden for many sporting clubs and organisations? Has he no proposals to make to help those clubs which are facing a crushing burden because of this tax?

Mr. Howell

I have just stated that in respect of all the main governing bodies of sport which carry the main burden of employing professional staff for sporting purposes the tax will be offset by the grant that we shall give them. As for the thousands of small clubs affiliated to the 200 governing bodies of sport, to deal with those clubs which do not receive grant at the moment would be an impossibility.

Mr. Rose

I welcome my hon. Friend's reply, but will he consider the possibility of new sources of tax, such as a further levy on betting, or a national lottery?

Mr. Howell

That question is not one for me at the moment, but I am prepared to consider anything at any time.