§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the known earnings of rugby union players has on the private club status of rugby union clubs with regard to the payment of income tax.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Inland Revenue has confirmed that any earnings of rugby union players have no effect on the private club status of rugby union clubs with regard to the payment of income tax.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the Inland Revenue has taken aerial photographs of crowds at certain rugby union grounds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Inland Revenue has not taken any aerial photographs of crowds at any rugby union grounds.
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§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 11 July,Official Report, column 378 (1) how many rugby union clubs are paying employers' national insurance contributions in respect of earnings or financial rewards received by players;
(2) if payments of income tax and national insurance contributions from earnings through playing rugby union are now being received.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 15 July 1994]: The Inland Revenue's special compliance office has started investigations into rugby union clubs. These investigations are continuing and at this stage is not appropriate to comment further.