HC Deb 15 July 1991 vol 195 cc43-4W
Mr. Pendry

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his written answer of 18 April,Official Report, columns 243–44, if he will list in full the organisations or individuals with which ministers or officials in his Department have held meetings since 16 April with regard to establishing the proposed foundation for sport and the arts announced in his Budget statement; on what date such meetings took place; and what further meetings are planned.

Mr. Mellor

[holding answer 11 July 1991]: I met representatives of the pools promoters on 4 and 13 June. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Treasury discussed the foundation with the hon. Members for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) and for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 21 May. Treasury officials also met the pools promoters on 22 April and 24 April. No firm plans exist for further meetings.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer further to his written answer of 28 March,Official Report, columns 516–17, what suitable arrangements for monitoring and audit have been agreed for the proposed foundation for sport and the arts announced in his Budget statement.

Mr. Mellor

[holding answer 11 July 1991]: Customs and Excise will be responsible for monitoring that the proceeds of the proposed cut in pool betting duty and the agreed contributions to the foundation from the pools companies actually pass to the trustees, by checking the accounts of the pools companies as part of their normal work in administering the pool duty.

Under the proposed trust deed, a copy of the auditors' annual report on the trust will be sent to the Minister of Sport. The Minister will also have the right to nominate an observer to attend all meetings of the trustees and to be supplied with all relevant papers.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether(a) non-professional, (b) semi-professional or (c) professional football clubs outside the current structure of the four divisions of the Football League will be eligible to apply for financial help from the funds of the proposed Foundation for Sport and the Arts to which he referred in his letter of 31 May to the Secretary of the GM Vauxhall Conference.

Mr. Mellor

[holding answer 12 July 1991]: Football clubs outside the Football League will be eligible to apply for financial help from the proposed Foundation for Sport and the Arts like any other athletic sport.