§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what help has been given to those sports which have relied on tobacco sponsorship; and if he will make a statement. [157315]
§ Kate Hoey[holding answer 6 April 2001]: Over the past two years, there has been extensive contact with the seven sports that sought assistance to make the transition from tobacco sponsorship. The taskforce of business and sponsorship has been there to make information available, offer advice to support the development of new marketing strategies, make initial contact with potential sponsors and offer professional advice on how the sports can start to position themselves in a changing marketplace.
The taskforce has now concluded the first phase of its work to identify the needs of the sports and ascertain how best it can assist them. Assistance with the replacement of existing contracts can most effectively be targeted in the 12 to 18 months before they lapse, which is the normal lead-in time for negotiating new sponsorship agreements. 545W I am in close touch with the seven sports affected and the taskforce has made clear to them that its assistance is still available as and when they require it.