HC Deb 18 December 1984 vol 70 cc94-5W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much sponsorship money sport receives from the tobacco industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Macfarlane

Under the voluntary agreement on sponsorship of sport by tobacco companies in the United Kingdom the industry informs my Department of its expenditure on sports sponsorship in confidence. I cannot therefore make the information available. However, the agreement restricts companies' expenditure to the 1976 level with due allowance for inflation.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much additional money sport receives from sponsorhip from non-govermental sponsors, other than the tobacco industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Macfarlane

This information is not available. However, the Sports Council has estimated that sport received about £100 million last year in sponsorship from all sources.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the number of sporting events which were sponsored in 1983 and the number which were sponsored by the tobacco industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Macfarlane

Information on events sponsored by the tobacco industry is supplied to my Department in confidence by the industry. I cannot therefore make that information available. The further information sought is also unavailable.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consult the medical profession before considering any renewal of the voluntary agreement with the tobacco industry on the sponsorship of sport; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Macfarlane

The British Medical Association has recently asked to discuss sports sponsorship by the tobacco industry and the voluntary agreement with my right hon. Friend. As the Minister responsible for the agreement, I shall be pleased to meet a delegation from the BMA and hear at first hand their views. I shall, of course, take these into account when considering the voluntary agreement, which stands until at least 31 December 1985.

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