HC Deb 09 February 1999 vol 325 cc158-9W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many meetings have taken place with the group established to examine alternative funding to tobacco sponsorship in sport in the last 12 months; and if he will list the dates of these meetings; [68452]

(2) what progress has been made so far with the group established to examine alternative funding to tobacco sponsorship in sport. [68453]

Mr. Banks

[holding answer 1 February 1999]: We have made significant progress with the Task Force. Having negotiated the necessary lead time for the sports to adjust, seven have sought our assistance to make the transition—rugby league, clay pigeon shooting, billiards and snooker, pool, darts, ice-hockey and angling. We have been in contact with the sports since the announcement in November 1997 and the expert group first met informally on 19 June 1998. Following this meeting, we sought detailed information on the sports' existing sponsorships, and what commercial benefits they can offer new sponsors, in order to assess their needs and how a Task Force could help. We completed this stage of the exercise before Christmas and the group met again on 10 December 1998. Since then members of the Task Force have held individual meetings with the sports on the following dates:

  • Clay Pigeon Shooting Association: 18 January 1999
  • Rugby Football League: 19 January 1999
  • English Pool Association: 21 January 1999
  • National Federation of Anglers: 21 January 1999
  • Ice Hockey Superleague Ltd.: 25 January 1999
  • World Professional Snooker & Billiards Association: 27 January 1999
  • British Darts Organisation: 29 January 1999.

I am pleased to confirm these meetings have been very positive. The sports recognise our determination to end the totally inappropriate links with smoking in a way that minimises the impact on them, and are working with us to help them establish new commercial relationships that can be sustained. The group will meet again shortly to consider the nature and timing of help needed to replace existing contracts, many of which have several years to run. We will also consider the frequency of further meetings this year. I will keep the House advised of all significant developments.