HC Deb 10 July 1972 vol 840 c1170
26. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Chairman of the Welsh Sports Council in relation to safety standards at sports grounds.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Questions of crowd safety at sports grounds are dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs. He is consulting the Sports Council for Wales on this topic.

Mr. Hughes

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that the introduction of VAT will be highly detrimental to sport in Wales? Does he appreciate, too, that the four English League soccer clubs have considerable expenditure on their hands due to ground improvements as a result of the Wheatley recommendations, and that they cannot afford VAT as well? Will the hon. Gentleman seek to exempt Welsh Rugby from this tax, because it is strictly amateur in character and relies so much on voluntary labour?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

VAT is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.