HC Deb 31 January 2001 vol 362 cc197-8W
Mr. Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost is of exempting sporting rights in 1998–99 from the valuation role in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [147889]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Sporting rights have not been rateable in England and Wales since 1 April 1997. This was estimated to cost £4 million to £5 million in 1997.

Sporting rights have been exempt from valuation rolls in Scotland since 1 April 1995. This was estimated to cost £2 million to £3 million in 1997.

Sporting rights have not been rateable in Northern Ireland since 1 April 2000. Before then, certain recreational sporting rights would have been eligible for 65 per cent, rate relief, while commercial sporting rights would not have had such relief. Costs for 1998–99 are not readily available.

Mr. Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have taken place with the Better Regulation Task Force about the proposals for rate relief for voluntary sports clubs in the Green Paper for Local Government Finance. [147891]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Better Regulation Task Force responded to the Green Paper and raised a number of issues, although it did not comment on the proposed rate relief for small businesses and non-profit making bodies including sports clubs. These proposals would provide additional rate relief for qualifying sports clubs. We do not expect them to increase the administrative requirements that clubs meet at present in applying for discretionary rate relief under the current system.

Mr. Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have taken place between his Department and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport regarding the Green Paper on Local Government Finance and the Government's Sports Strategy. [147892]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance" is a Government publication and as such reflects the collective views of Ministers. There were detailed discussions and agreement of its content before publication and there will be further discussions at both official and ministerial level to discuss the responses we have received to the Green Paper and the way forward. We will publish our conclusions in a White Paper later this year.