HC Deb 16 January 1992 vol 201 cc621-2W
Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the meeting held on 9 January between officials in his Department and representatives of the Football Trust to discuss eligibility of football Premier League clubs for funds released through the reduction in the football pool betting duty; and what further meetings, and on what dates, are planned on this issue involving officials and ministers in his Department.

Mr. Atkins

At the request of the Football Trust a meeting was held with officials from my Department and the Treasury to hear the views of the trust on its handling of grant applications by prospective members of the Premier League and arrangements following the establishment of the league. The trust will be informed shortly of the Government's views. Further meetings will be arranged as appropriate.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science further to his letter of 12 July 1991 to the Football Association, if he will set out the precise conditions necessary for Premier League clubs to be rendered eligible for access to funds released through the reduction of the football pool betting duty.

Mr. Atkins

The trust would need to amend its resolution of April 1990 to allow clubs in the Premier League to have access to such funds. My position remains as set out in the letter of 12 July. In supporting such a change I would wish to have regard to how any additional money available to football was to be used for purposes of Taylor implementation throughout the present Football League. I have written to the FA to ask for further information on this objective, together with other relevant matters.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what criteria the national stadiums at Wembley, Hampden park and Windsor park are deemed eligible for assistance through the reduction in the football pool betting duty.

Mr. Atkins

Under a resolution passed by the Football Trust in April 1990 the grounds of clubs in the Football League and the Scottish League and the three national stadia are eligible for assistance from the moneys made available by the reduction in pool betting duty for capital works for the safety and comfort of spectators at football grounds in accordance with the recommendations contained in Lord Justice Taylor's final report on "The Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, 15 April 1989". The trustees also resolved to distribute the money fairly having regard to the differing needs of those clubs and the stadia authorities and the resources available to them.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy concerning the repayment of grants made to clubs through the reduction in the football pool betting duty if relegated from the Football League to the Vauxhall conference.

Mr. Atkins

It is for the trust itself to decide its grant policy. I myself see no reason why the Football Trust should ask for repayment of grants in such circumstances.