§ 5. Mr. Bob Russell (Colchester)If he will introduce a tax redistribution arrangement based on turnover for professional football clubs. [56862]
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Dawn Primarolo)The football authorities, which are independent of Government, are best placed to make decisions on the development of football, including the distribution of income within the game. The tax system is not an appropriate mechanism for redistributing funds between football clubs.
§ Mr. RussellIf Ministers are unaware of the financial apartheid in professional football, they should have a word with the Deputy Prime Minister, who may be able to tell them about the plight of Hull City. The gap between rich and poor football clubs grows by the day. Contrary to what the Minister said, the football authorities have failed to act. Will she give an assurance that the Government will consider measures for a fair redistribution of the huge amount of money in football?
§ Dawn PrimaroloI understand that the hon. Gentleman supports Colchester, who are currently 20th in the second division, so I suppose that he well knows what it is like to be in the second division. It is not the job of the tax system to redistribute income between clubs; it is the responsibility of the Football Association and the football authorities. The hon. Gentleman should press them to make the changes that he wants.
§ Mr. Ian Davidson (Glasgow, Pollok)As we are on the subject of taxation and football clubs, will the Government do what they can to ensure that football clubs are not taken over by multinational, tax-avoiding media moguls?
§ Dawn PrimaroloI know that some people think that the Treasury is all-powerful and commands everything in the country, but my hon. Friend must direct his point to another Department.