§ 19. Mr. PikeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the reduction in pools betting duty introduced to enable football clubs to continue to fund capital works in line with the Taylor report.
§ Sir John CopeIn the 1990 Budget pool betting duty was reduced from 42.5 per cent. to 40 per cent. for five years to help finance the implementation of the Taylor report and in particular the achievement of all-seating. The648W former Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Lamont), made it clear that the Government will be prepared to extend the reduction to the year 2000 provided the football leagues and football clubs produce satisfactory plans to finance their own contribution to further necessary ground improvements. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage will shortly be discussing the position with us on the basis of information supplied by the Football Trust and the clubs themselves, in support of an extension of the reduction.