§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the Home Office and what assessment she has made of the constitutional, administrative and financial implications for community amateur sports clubs seeking charitable status under the terms outlined in the Treasury consultation paper, "Promoting Sport in the Community". [34512]
§ Mr. CabornNeither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have discussed these issues with the Home Office. However, I am fully aware of the concerns of many sports clubs about the possible implications of applying for charitable status under the Charity Commission's proposals (as outlined in "Promoting Sport in the Community"). These issues have been considered in detail by the DCMS Tax Working Group, which includes representatives of my Department, Sport England, the Central Council of Physical Recreation and other interested bodies, and I shall be discussing them with John Stoker of the Charity Commission when I meet him on 12 February.
§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer from the Minister for Sport of 17 January 2001,Official Report, column 473W, on sports clubs, if she will publish evidence to support his statement that the majority of local authorities grant 100 per cent. rate relief. [35190]
§ Mr. CabornNo detailed figures exist for the numbers of clubs currently receiving discretionary rates relief from local authorities. My answer of 17 January to the hon. Member for East Devon (Mr. Swire) was based on general information provided to DCMS by sport's representative bodies in the course of discussions before, and since, the issue of the Treasury's consultation document, "Promoting Sport in the Community", in November 2001.