§ Sir Hector Monroasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to make a further statement on the progress of his discussions with the tobacco industry on a new voluntary agreement for the sponsorship of sport.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI have reached agreement with the tobacco industry on its continuing sponsorship of sport. The main features are:
- (a) the agreement to run until at least 31 December 1985;
- (b) the existing expenditure ceiling, namely the actual expenditure in 1976, adjusted for inflation, to be maintained;
- (c) Government health warnings to appear on press and poster advertising for, and on agreed static promotional signs at, sponsored sporting activities;
- (d) the Minister with responsibility for sport to be informed by the companies of their sponsorship plans and any changes in those plans;
- (e) the companies to consult with the Minister with responsibility for sport on any proposal to sponsor a sport not previously sponsored by the industry;
- (f) activities in which the majority of the participants are under 18 years of age not to be sponsored by the companies;
- (g) the companies to continue to sponsor non-televised, minor and amateur activities;
- (h) the companies to use their best endeavours to keep expenditure on media advertising and promotional activities within a reasonable proportion of total sports sponsorship expenditure.
Some minor practical details have yet to be finalised and the full text of the new agreement will be published shortly.