HC Deb 29 July 1998 vol 317 cc309-10W
Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what definite offers he has received from companies willing to replace moneys currently received from tobacco companies for sports sponsorship; [52515]

(2) when the Tobacco Sponsorship Task Force last met; who attended the meeting; and what recommendations were agreed; [52514]

(3) what research his Department has evaluated into the extent to which companies would be prepared to replace tobacco sponsorship of sport. [52509]

Mr. Banks

The Task Force has not yet been formally constituted, although I have had an initial informal meeting with sports and business interest, and will hold a further meeting in the autumn when the current exercise to collect sponsorship information from the sports concerned should be completed.

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from arts organisations in the United Kingdom regarding withdrawal of tobacco companies' support. [52512]

Mr. Banks

In the last 15 months, my Department has received written representations from four arts organisations in the United Kingdom, expressing concern about the potential impact of any future withdrawal of support by tobacco companies.

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment he has made of whether the period of time set out by the EU Directive on Tobacco Advertising for the withdrawal of sports sponsorship will be complied with; [52511]

(2) if he will list those events his Department will treat as world level events in accordance with the terms of the EU Directive on tobacco advertising. [52513]

Mr. Banks

The future individual sponsorship arrangements are matters for the sports and businesses concerned, although they will have to comply with the legal requirements of the European Union Tobacco Advertising Directive. The Government's detailed proposals for implementing the Directive will be set out in a White Paper to be issued later this year.

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will undertake a study into the financial implications for sport of the EU Directive on Tobacco Advertising. [52508]

Mr. Banks

I have no plans to do so. I have set up a Task Force of sports and business interests to help identify and secure alternative sponsors.