§ 18. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consult the Welsh Football Association about the question of ground improvements in line with the Wheatley recommendations.
§ Mr. LaneThe Home Office has sought the views of the Football Association of Wales, among other bodies, on Lord Wheatley's recommendations, and is now considering them.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that the Wheatley proposals may be necessary but that they are very costly, too? Does he realise that the four Welsh clubs in the English Football League are in a very difficult financial position, as is the Welsh Football Association? The difficulties will increase with the introduction of value added tax. Therefore, will the hon. Gentleman prevail on his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to exempt the clubs from the tax?
§ Mr. LaneI cannot go into the question of value added tax, which is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. However, on the main point of the Wheatley recommendations, I know that the situation of the four Welsh clubs, with one of which the hon. Gentleman is particularly associated, is difficult. We are looking forward to hearing the views of all those people affected by the report on the implications, including the financial implications, of the report.