Sports Clubs (Hansard, 8 February 2002)

§ Kate Hoey
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those sports in which community amateur sports clubs would have difficulty in qualifying for charitable status because they are(a) not considered healthy, (b) considered dangerous and (c) considered too costly. [34339]

§ Mr. Boateng
Eligibility for charitable status is a matter for the Charity Commission to decide. Sports' representative bodies are working closely with the Charity Commission in the development of guidelines for charitable status.

§ Kate Hoey
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated cost is of the tax exemptions for the Inland Revenue proposals contained in Promoting Sport in the Community. [34335]

§ Mr. Boateng
Cost will depend on any finalised tax package and subsequent take-up.

§ Kate Hoey
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those sports recognised by the Sports Council which are eligible for the Inland Revenue CASC tax concessions. [34340]

§ Mr. Boateng
The list of sports eligible for any separate Inland Revenue administered tax package would be finalised in due course, when decisions are made as part of the normal Budget process.

§ Kate Hoey
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated cost is of the tax exemptions for the Charity Commission proposals contained in the consultative paper Promoting Sport in the Community. [34336]

§ Mr. Boateng
The cost of the Charity Commission decision will depend on take-up by sports clubs. Community amateur sports clubs are able to apply immediately and there have been a significant number of inquiries from sports clubs interested in taking advantage of the new charitable purpose.

§ Kate Hoey
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the cost will be of granting mandatory rate relief to community amateur sports clubs as set out in Annexe B in the consultation paper; [34338]
(2) what the cost of granting 80 per cent. mandatory rate relief to community amateur sports clubs based on the criteria set out in Annexe A of Promoting Sport in the Community would be. [34337]
1205W

§ Mr. Greenway
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of providing 80 per cent. mandatory relief from business rates for(a) those community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) which achieve charitable status and (b) those CASCs which qualify for his proposed tax relief package. [34509]

§ Mr. Boateng
The cost of granting 80 per cent. mandatory relief to community amateur sports clubs eligible for charitable status will depend on the take-up of charitable status. 80 per cent. mandatory rate relief is not part of the proposed Inland Revenue tax package set out in Annexe A of the "Promoting Sport in the Community" consultation document.

§ Mr. Greenway
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written responses have been received to the Treasury consultation paper, "Promoting Sport in the Community". [34510]

§ Mr. Boateng
A number of responses to the consultation document "Promoting Sport in the Community" have been received from a wide range of sports clubs and representative bodies. Views expressed will be considered before decisions on the best way to support community amateur sports clubs are made.

§ Mr. Greenway
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to respond to the consultation document on "Promoting Sport in the Community". [34508]

§ Mr. Boateng
Decisions on the best way to support community amateur sports clubs that make a positive contribution to their local communities will be made as part of the normal Budget process.

§ Mr. Greenway
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the Treasury consultation paper, "Promoting Sport in the Community", were(a) printed and (b) circulated. [34511]

§ Mr. Boateng
5,000 copies of the "Promoting Sport in the Community" consultation document were printed and it was also available on the Treasury public internet site. The consultation document was circulated to sports clubs and their governing bodies, Sport England and the Central Council of Physical Recreation. Given the diversity of the sector, the Government have been keen for as many interested parties as possible to have the opportunity to respond.