§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what efforts he is making to assist arts organisations affected by the proposed ban on tobacco sponsorship to find replacement funding. [70351]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 10 February 1999]: Through negotiation, the Government have ensured that the EC Tobacco Advertising Directive provides a reasonable time for arts and sports organisations to adapt to its provisions. The Government's White Paper "Smoking Kills", published last December, was accompanied by a consultation document which invites comments on the possible impact of legislation. The Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts has been invited to make representations on behalf of its members, and arts organisations may also do so on an individual basis.
Views expressed in the consultation exercise, which ends on 28 February, will inform decisions taken on the extent to which specific assistance should be offered to arts organisations.