HC Deb 08 December 1997 vol 302 cc464-5W
10. Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received from sports bodies on business sponsorship; and if he will make a statement. [17985]

Mr. Banks

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health and I recently met governing bodies of sports in receipt of tobacco sponsorship. We discussed how to end tobacco advertising and sponsorship while minimising any damage to the sports concerned. Agreement has now been reached on the EU Directive and as a result, all sports have five years in which to find alternative sponsors. I am also setting up a task force of sports and business interests to help them do just that.

24. Mr. Forth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on sources of sponsorship available to United Kingdom sporting events. [18002]

Mr. Banks

The sports sponsorship market has grown to over £300 million a year. We estimate that it increased by 6 per cent. last year alone. It is flourishing. I congratulated 700 delegates at a sportsmatch sponsorship award ceremony some three weeks ago.