§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on measures taken to help sports find alternative sponsorship and funding to tobacco advertising. [8435]
§ Mr. CabornAs my hon. Friend is aware, the Tobacco Task Force was set up for the seven sports which sought assistance in the transition from tobacco sponsorship. The Task Force quickly concluded the first phase of its operation which was to identify the needs of the sports currently receiving Tobacco sponsorship and how best they could be assisted.
I wrote to the seven sports on 28 July to determine whether they still needed assistance and whether they would make use of the Task Force. Since then I have met representatives from snooker and I am due to meet shortly representatives from darts, pool and angling. To date rugby league, ice hockey and clay pigeon shooting have not replied.
Once these meetings have taken place I will then be in a position to determine what role if any the Task Force will play in the future.